free throw lane

noun

: a 12- or 16-foot-wide lane on a basketball court that extends from underneath the goal to a line 15 feet in front of the backboard and that players may not enter during a free throw

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Both squads were forced to play physically with a lot of contact allowed by officials (with free throw lane violations and off ball fouls called to make up), which the Nighthawks happily accepted.

Alex Harrison, The Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2022

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'free throw lane.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of free throw lane was in 1915

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Free throw lane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20throw%20lane. Accessed 27 Nov. 2022.

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