Definition of FOOTBALL
any of several games played between two teams on a usually rectangular field having goalposts or goals at each end and whose object is to get the… See the full definition
football
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Definition of
football
1
:
any of several games played between two teams on a usually rectangular field having goalposts or goals at each end and whose object is to get the ball over a goal line, into a goal, or between goalposts by running, passing, or kicking: such as
a
British
:
soccer
b
British
:
rugby
c
:
an American game played between two teams of 11 players each in which the ball is in possession of one side at a time and is advanced by running or passing
d
Australia
e
Canada
2
a
:
an inflated oval ball used in the game of football
b
British
:
a soccer ball
3
:
something treated roughly especially as the subject of a prolonged dispute
the issue became a political
football
in Congress
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Other Words from
football
footballer
noun
Did You Know?
The game of US football evolved in the 19th century as a combination of rugby and soccer. The first intercollegiate match was played in 1869 between Princeton University and Rutgers College. In 1873, the first collegiate rules were standardized and the Ivy League was formed. Collegiate football grew into one of the most popular American sports. Professional football began in the 1890s, but did not become a major sport until after World War II. The National Football League (NFL) was formed (from an earlier association) in 1922; in 1966 it subsumed the rival American Football League (created in 1959). The NFL is now divided into an American and a National conference; the conference winners compete for the Super Bowl championship. A Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton, Ohio.
Examples of
football
in a Sentence
He played a lot of
football
in high school and college.
Recent Examples on the Web
In 1995, quarterback Joe Montana retired from professional
football
.
—
BostonGlobe.com
, “Today in History,” 18 Apr. 2021
Last month, some held a sit-in at LSU’s
football
operations building.
—
Brett Martel,
ajc
, “LSU reeling from ongoing reviews of sexual misconduct cases,” 17 Apr. 2021
South Bend Tribune SOUTH BEND — Successful college
football
recruiting requires innovation.
—
Tyler James,
The Indianapolis Star
, “How Notre Dame football keeps pushing to evolve its recruiting efforts,” 17 Apr. 2021
After Friday’s 10-3 win over Cleveland, Joey Votto showed up to his post-game press conference in a
football
jersey.
—
Bobby Nightengale,
The Enquirer
, “Joey Votto wears Kyle Farmer’s high school football jersey after Cincinnati Reds win,” 17 Apr. 2021
The weekend includes baseball games at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium, the maroon-white
football
scrimmage at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, Old Main Music and Cotton Districts Arts festivals.
—
Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com,
al
, “Mississippi State’s Maroon-White game live stream (4/17): How to watch online, TV, time,” 17 Apr. 2021
Here are Friday’s
football
scores and today’s schedule.
—
Los Angeles Times
, “Prep Rally: Friday night’s high school football scores,” 17 Apr. 2021
Ohio State caps off spring
football
in 2021 with its annual spring game.
—
Tim Bielik,
cleveland
, “Ohio State football spring game FREE LIVE STREAM (4/17/21): How to watch, TV | C.J. Stroud, Jack Miller, Kyle McCord,” 17 Apr. 2021
But his non-stop motor, and high
football
character gives Collins a chance to become a Day 1 starter, one who should be able to anchor a defense once the speed of the game slows down for him.
—
Omar Kelly,
sun-sentinel.com
, “NFL draft prospects you should want on Dolphins, or your favorite team: Omar Kelly’s 2021 man-crush list,” 17 Apr. 2021
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘football.’ Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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First Known Use of
football
15th century, in the meaning defined at
sense 1
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football
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football
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football
Last Updated
21 Apr 2021
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Cite this Entry
“Football.”
Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary
, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/football. Accessed 1 May. 2021.
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More from Merriam-Webster on
football
Nglish:
Translation of
football
for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English:
Translation of
football
for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com:
Encyclopedia article about
football
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football
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