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.
Maybe opponents had a tougher time against Belichick’s defense and had to settle for more field goals? — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Oregon defeated Boise State 37-34 at Autzen Stadium in 2024 on a last-second field goal — a game in which the Broncos had more total yards and more first downs than the Ducks. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026 Julian Rauch’s 24-yard field goal with 26 seconds left puts the Mountaineers ahead of the Wolverines and Corey Lynch blocks a field goal in the final seconds to seal one of college football’s biggest upsets. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Butker booted a 69-yard field goal in the Chiefs’ 16-15 preseason loss at Tampa Bay — the second-longest in preseason history — the longest kick of his career and one that drew a celebration from Patrick Mahomes on the sideline. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Sep. 2026 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

Rhymes for field goal

See All Rhymes for field goal

Browse Nearby Words

field glass
field goal
field grade
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Field goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/field%20goal. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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
: basket sense 3b

More from Merriam-Webster on field goal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about field goal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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