football

[foot-bawl] / ˈfʊtˌbɔl /

NOUN

a sport

Synonyms

STRONGEST

soccer

STRONG

rugby

WEAK

American football Association football Canadian football grid game gridiron pastime the pigskin sport

NOUN

the ball used in football

Synonyms

STRONG

moleskin oval peanut pigskin pineapple porker sphere watermelon

WEAK

inflated oval regulation football

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Inside is a cowhide segment of a game-used football.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

But it is basketball - not football - that New Yorkers are besotted with right now.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

Amanda Friedman has projected college football games at cocktail hours, coordinated with DJs to make score announcements and created cards asking guests to please refrain from watching a match during speeches.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

"I've liked the Argentine team since the Maradona era, and now we have Messi," Muhammad told AFP of his football hero.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

This football player isn’t even there yet, but on the sidelines his teammates are slapping his shoulders and crowding around him.

From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan