free kick

noun

: a kick (as in football, soccer, or rugby) with which an opponent may not interfere
especially : such a kick in any direction awarded because of an infraction of the rules by an opponent

Examples of free kick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The move began when Benfica were awarded a soft free kick on the edge of the box after Caicedo was judged to have pulled down Di Maria. From that free-kick, Di Mari played the ball to the back post where Gusto jumped didn’t connect with his defensive header. Liam Twomey, New York Times, 28 June 2025 After drawing a foul from Daniel Lovitz near midfield, Carles Gil played a quick free kick to Chancalay, who split two defenders, took one touch, and fired past Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis. Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 26 June 2025 In the late '90s and early 2000s, Beckham’s style off-the-field was as unpredictable as his air-bending free kicks on the field. Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025 In that game, the Mexican side conceded a free kick a metre outside the penalty box. Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for free kick

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free kick was in 1862

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Free kick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20kick. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

free kick

noun
: a kick (as in football or soccer) with which an opponent may not interfere
also : such a kick awarded because an opponent has broken the rules

More from Merriam-Webster on free kick

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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