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

Examples of soccer in a Sentence

Both of their children play soccer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Both boys were active in the Boy Scouts, soccer and volunteerism, including shore cleanups. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025

The quote has been cited over the years for two separate purposes: to allege that the American understanding of soccer was still somewhat underdeveloped at that time, but also as evidence that defenders simply don’t have the star attraction of forwards. —Michael Cox, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

Next Ones Up is near and dear to Mollie and Rosie, two women of color who had to fight for their place in the women’s soccer industry. —Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025

Electronic Arts — Stock in the video game publisher pulled back 17% after the firm trimmed its third-quarter and full-year guidance for net bookings, citing a slowdown in its soccer gaming franchise as a key catalyst. —Brian Evans, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025

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

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.