free throw
noun
: an unhindered shot in basketball made from behind a set line and awarded because of a foul by an opponent
Examples of free throw in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
All five Thunder starters scored at least 12, with Gilgeous-Alexander finishing with 33 points thanks, in part, to 10 free throws.
—
Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023
The free throw rate has saved Lillard’s start to the season.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
The Aztecs have attempted 78 free throws in their last two games, their most in a two-game stretch since the 2000s.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2023
The exception is the free throw, stuck more or less where it’s always been.
—Robert O’Connell, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023
Old Dominion pulled within six points twice in the final 3:41 before the Razorbacks closed the game by hitting 5 of 8 free throws to win 86-77.
—Bob Holt, arkansasonline.com, 14 Nov. 2023
Two free throws by Waters pushed the lead to three with 9.5 seconds left.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Nov. 2023
Canada was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored a game-high 31 points after making 8-of-12 shots and 14-of-16 free throws.
—oregonlive, 6 Sep. 2023
The Toreros hit 6 of 15 3-pointers in the second half while connecting on 22 of 28 free throws.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2023
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Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023
The free throw rate has saved Lillard’s start to the season.
—Brian Sampson, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
The Aztecs have attempted 78 free throws in their last two games, their most in a two-game stretch since the 2000s.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2023
The exception is the free throw, stuck more or less where it’s always been.
—Robert O’Connell, WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023
Old Dominion pulled within six points twice in the final 3:41 before the Razorbacks closed the game by hitting 5 of 8 free throws to win 86-77.
—Bob Holt, arkansasonline.com, 14 Nov. 2023
Two free throws by Waters pushed the lead to three with 9.5 seconds left.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Nov. 2023
Canada was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored a game-high 31 points after making 8-of-12 shots and 14-of-16 free throws.
—oregonlive, 6 Sep. 2023
The Toreros hit 6 of 15 3-pointers in the second half while connecting on 22 of 28 free throws.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'free throw.' 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
1891, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Free throw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20throw. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
free throw
noun
: a basketball shot worth one point that must be made from behind a specific line and is given because of a foul by an opponent
More from Merriam-Webster on free throw
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about free throw
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