field goal

noun

1
: a score of three points in football made by drop-kicking or placekicking the ball over the crossbar from ordinary play
2
: a goal in basketball made while the ball is in play

Examples of field goal in a Sentence

He kicked a 20-yard field goal.
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.
Oddly enough, that earlier game was a relative barnburner, as Los Angeles fought back from a 13-0 deficit before matters were settled by a 57-yard field goal in overtime. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 Jan. 2025 Kicker Harrison Butker put the Chiefs up three with a field goal in the fourth, and the Bills ultimately weren't able to get around Kansas City's defense in the final minutes. Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 That game ended with a drive led by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and punctuated by a walk-off 51-yard field goal by Cairo Santos. Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025 After the Eagles tied the score with a touchdown and two-point conversion — both on Jalen Hurts runs — with 5:15 left in the fourth quarter, Mahomes engineered a game-winning field goal drive. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for field goal 

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of field goal was in 1883

Dictionary Entries Near field goal

Cite this Entry

“Field goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/field%20goal. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

field goal

noun
1
: a score of three points in football made by kicking the ball over the crossbar during ordinary play
2

More from Merriam-Webster on field goal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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