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View synonyms for

football

[ foot-bawl ]

noun

  1. a game in which two opposing teams of 11 players each defend goals at opposite ends of a field having goal posts at each end, with points being scored chiefly by carrying the ball across the opponent's goal line and by place-kicking or drop-kicking the ball over the crossbar between the opponent's goal posts. Compare conversion ( def 13 ), field goal ( def 1 ), safety ( def 6 ), touchdown.
  2. the ball used in this game, an inflated oval with a bladder contained in a casing usually made of leather.
  3. Chiefly British. Rugby ( def 1 ).
  4. Chiefly British. soccer.
  5. something sold at a reduced or special price.
  6. any person or thing treated roughly or tossed about:

    They're making a political football of this issue.

  7. (initial capital letter) U.S. Government Slang. a briefcase containing the codes and options the president would use to launch a nuclear attack, carried by a military aide and kept available to the president at all times.


verb (used with object)

  1. Informal. to offer for sale at a reduced or special price.

football

/ ˈʊˌɔː /

noun

    1. any of various games played with a round or oval ball and usually based on two teams competing to kick, head, carry, or otherwise propel the ball into each other's goal, territory, etc See association football rugby Australian Rules American football Gaelic football
    2. ( as modifier )

      a football ground

      a football supporter

  1. the ball used in any of these games or their variants
  2. a problem, issue, etc, that is continually passed from one group or person to another and treated as a pretext for argument instead of being resolved

    he accused the government of using the strike as a political football

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈڴǴdzˌ, noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of football1

First recorded in 1350–1400, football is from Middle English fut ball. See foot, ball 1
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Wylie‘s exit was “strictly a football decision,” according to a person familiar with the situation not authorized to speak publicly.

From

English football's governing body updated its rules earlier this month, but they could now be amended within days, BBC Sport has been told.

From

The football program hopes to build a new stadium and upgrade from the FCS to the FBS.

From

The new policy will apply to all competitive football in Scotland, including the grassroots game from under-13s and over.

From

Hathaway is, of course, not alone in being a big-name Hollywood star supporting an English football team.

From

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