football

noun

foot·ball ˈfu̇t-ˌbȯl

: 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

British : soccer

British : rugby

: 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

Australia : australian rules football

Canada : canadian football

: an inflated oval ball used in the game of football

British : a soccer ball

: something treated roughly especially as the subject of a prolonged dispute

the issue became a political football in Congress

footballer

ˈfu̇t-ˌbȯ-lər

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

College football has undergone monumental changes in recent years, from conference realignments, to annual transfer-portal roster reshufflings, to lucrative deals for use of an athlete’s name, image and likeness. —

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024 The comments quickly came flooding in with well wishes for the couple from friends and fans alike, including several fellow football peers, like Taiwan Jones, Isaiah Mckenzie and Trevor Lawrence. —

Natasha Dye, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024 In the surprise promotional video, the pianist is seen chilling with a band all rocking New Orleans Saints football jerseys. —

Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 2 Dec. 2024 In today’s opinions newsletter: Civics lessons, ASU football mistakes and the message in a water-rate protest. —

Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for football