kicker

noun

kick·​er ˈki-kər How to pronounce kicker (audio)
1
: one that kicks or kicks something
2
: an unexpected and surprising remark, revelation, or set of circumstances

Examples of kicker in a Sentence

The real kicker came when the chairman announced that he was quitting.
Recent Examples on the Web Our plain-vanilla incentives are 35% plus a 2% to 4% percent kicker for diversity. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024 Besides the kicker and returners, no players from either side will be allowed to move until a returner touches the ball or the ball hits the ground. Becky Sullivan, NPR, 27 Mar. 2024 The league is considering an XFL-style kickoff in which the kicker is back at the 35-yard line, but the rest of the coverage team is lined up 25 yards forward — a mere five yards from the bulk of the return team. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024 Coming up: Los Angeles Chargers kicker and Texas alum Cameron Dicker will give invocation at 3:30, and San Antonio police officer Rebecca Vermeulen will sing the national anthem at 3:31. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2024 An avid Kansas City Chiefs fan, Lopez-Galvan was wearing a white No. 7 jersey for kicker Harrison Butker when she was killed. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 22 Feb. 2024 Just shy of 2 p.m., the Chiefs had vacated the field, and some of the 49ers players took their turns practicing hiking the ball to their kicker, Jake Moody. Alex Ross, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024 When a kicker boots the ball into the endzone, the opposing team's returner can choose to kneel rather than attempt a return; the result is called a touchback, and the returning team would receive the ball at the 25-yard line. Becky Sullivan, NPR, 27 Mar. 2024 Among other nuances, the kicker will not be allowed to cross the 50-yard line until the ball is fielded, penalties from scoring plays will not carry over and fair catches from kickoffs will be eliminated. Sam Joseph, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kicker.' 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

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kicker was circa 1580

Dictionary Entries Near kicker

Cite this Entry

“Kicker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kicker. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

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