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

The sensation coming from Los Blancos, clarified by a formal complaint to Spain’s soccer federation over officiating, is that officials are costing the side. —Henry Flynn, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

As is, Snapdragon Stadium holds appeal for soccer fans. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025

State of play: The soccer rivalry between the Portland Timbers and the Seattle Sounders is the stuff of legend, fueled in part by both teams having some stellar seasons to look back on. —Melissa Santos, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025

However, a professional soccer dream would be cut short after tearing his ACL. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 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

Rhymes for soccer

• blocker
• chalker
• cocker
• docker
• hawker
• hocker
• knocker
• locker
• mocker
• ocher
• rocker
• shocker

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.