free kick

noun

: a kick (as in football, soccer, or rugby) with which an opponent may not interfere
especially : such a kick in any direction awarded because of an infraction of the rules by an opponent

Examples of free kick in a Sentence

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.
In that game, the Mexican side conceded a free kick a metre outside the penalty box. Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 June 2025 The Argentine legend and Miami captain went down at the edge of the box and was awarded a free kick. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025 With the score tied at 1-1 at 54th minute, Messi drilled a brilliant 23-yard free kick for what turned into Inter Miami CF’s winning goal in a 2-1 Group D victory. Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 Messi also shaved the post with a free kick in the 60th minute of the second half. James Robson, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for free kick

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free kick was in 1862

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Free kick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20kick. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

free kick

noun
: a kick (as in football or soccer) with which an opponent may not interfere
also : such a kick awarded because an opponent has broken the rules

More from Merriam-Webster on free kick

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!