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
Messi made a sensational debut for Inter Miami last month by scoring the game-winning goal with a Messi-esque free kick in stoppage time, easily giving fans their money’s worth.
—
Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 3 Aug. 2023
After coming on the field as a second-half sub in his first game for Miami, Messi buried a free kick for the winning goal in stoppage time in the Leagues Cup opener against Liga MX's Cruz Azul.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2023
The last goal came off of a free kick to the left of the goal.
—Mike Frainie, Baltimore Sun, 11 Sep. 2023
In the latest rule change addressing plays that have been found to be the most dangerous, the N.F.L. this season will allow players to call for fair catches on kickoffs and on free kicks after a safety.
—Jenny Vrentas, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2023
Taking advantage of a short field following the free kick, the Apollos needed just three plays to find the end zone, with Nees hitting Macklin Pettit for a four-yard touchdown.
—Mitchell Forde, oregonlive, 9 Sep. 2023
Maes returned the ensuing free kick 32 yards, and three plays later Roth found Estabrook over the middle for a 58-yard touchdown pass with 8:58 left in the second quarter.
—Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2023
After the ensuing free kick, the Admirals needed three plays before Dunn threw the first of two touchdown passes to Moore, a 45-yarder to make it 9-0.
—al, 26 Aug. 2023
Inter Miami earns a free kick after a handball JUST outside of the penalty box.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 7 Aug. 2023
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Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 3 Aug. 2023
After coming on the field as a second-half sub in his first game for Miami, Messi buried a free kick for the winning goal in stoppage time in the Leagues Cup opener against Liga MX's Cruz Azul.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2023
The last goal came off of a free kick to the left of the goal.
—Mike Frainie, Baltimore Sun, 11 Sep. 2023
In the latest rule change addressing plays that have been found to be the most dangerous, the N.F.L. this season will allow players to call for fair catches on kickoffs and on free kicks after a safety.
—Jenny Vrentas, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2023
Taking advantage of a short field following the free kick, the Apollos needed just three plays to find the end zone, with Nees hitting Macklin Pettit for a four-yard touchdown.
—Mitchell Forde, oregonlive, 9 Sep. 2023
Maes returned the ensuing free kick 32 yards, and three plays later Roth found Estabrook over the middle for a 58-yard touchdown pass with 8:58 left in the second quarter.
—Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2023
After the ensuing free kick, the Admirals needed three plays before Dunn threw the first of two touchdown passes to Moore, a 45-yarder to make it 9-0.
—al, 26 Aug. 2023
Inter Miami earns a free kick after a handball JUST outside of the penalty box.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 7 Aug. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'free kick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1862, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near free kick
Cite this Entry
“Free kick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20kick. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about free kick
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