soccer

noun

soc·​cer ˈsä-kər 

: a game played on a field between two teams of 11 players each with the object to propel a round ball into the opponent's goal by kicking or by hitting it with any part of the body except the hands and arms

called also association football, football

Examples of soccer in a Sentence

Both of their children play soccer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Subsequent drills eliminate even more candidates, but not Shannon (Shannon Hayes), a local Richmond soccer enthusiast whom Ted recognizes and greets by name. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026

The host of the soccer World Cup automatically qualifies, and Olympic host countries automatically get spots in every event. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Canadian Jacob Shaffelburg chased running and soccer instead of hockey, launching an unlikely path from tiny Port Williams to LAFC and Canada’s historic home World Cup run. — Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

The state compared Atrium to a soccer team whining about the referees. — Bob Herman, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

by shortening & alteration from association football

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing soccer

• soccer mom
• table soccer

Rhymes for soccer

• blocker
• chalker
• cocker
• docker
• hawker
• hocker
• knocker
• locker
• mocker
• ocher
• rocker
• shocker

Kids Definition

soccer

noun

soc·​cer ˈsäk-ər 

: a football game with 11 players on a side in which a round ball is advanced by kicking it or by hitting it with any part of the body except the hands and arms

Etymology

by shortening and alteration of association football

Word Origin

Soccer is the world's most popular sport. In most countries, however, its name is not soccer but football. In England, where the modern game started, it is usually called either football or association football. The latter name comes from the fact that the rules of the game were standardized when the Football Association was founded in England in 1863. The word soccer comes from the last three letters of the abbreviation assoc., which stands for "association." Although the word soccer was first used in England, the only countries where it is now the usual name for the sport are the U.S. and Canada.