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.
Northwestern coming from behind to beat Nebraska 31-28 in 2022, Georgia Tech beating Florida State on a walk-off field goal 24-21 in 2024 and Iowa State holding off Kansas State 24-21 in 2025. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 The hidden yards of field position within that differential — plus-49 yards for Denver — were critical in a game decided by a field goal. — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Bennett started against the Kansas City Chiefs but played only two series, one that resulted in a field goal. — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Stone spent his four years at Texas serving primarily as the Longhorns’ kickoff specialist and hasn’t kicked a field goal in college. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

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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