Definitions

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.

A former Yale offensive lineman, he started his career as a high school football coach after an unsuccessful attempt to make the NFL and now describes himself as a “lifelong entrepreneur.”

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026

He might be 74, but he is an intelligent mood-setter with a big football brain and a fantastic capacity to connect with footballers and make them feel better and play better.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

In Scotland, Glasgow's football culture has shaped generations of players.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

The final hearing has been scheduled to begin Feb. 8, after the end of the college football season.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

He was quarterback on the Muscatine high school football team, a starting guard in basketball, the president of his class and its valedictorian.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French