free kick

noun

: a kick (as in football, soccer, or rugby) with which an opponent may not interfere
especially : such a kick in any direction awarded because of an infraction of the rules by an opponent

Examples of free kick in a Sentence

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.
Courage midfielder Riley Jackson converted a penalty kick in the 77th minute when Hopkins was called for a handball on Sanchez's free kick. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 After a free kick led to a header three minutes into the game, the ball fell to his feet. — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 And in the preceding match, the Canadian international converted on a free kick in second-half stoppage time to hand the Summit a 2-1 victory over Utah in the Continental Divide rivalry match. — Karan Lodha, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Philadelphia came out aggressive in the second half, took control of the game, and tied it in the 58th minute on a close-range header from Neil Pierre on a cross from Milan Iloski after a free kick. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for free kick

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free kick was in 1862

Rhymes for free kick

See All Rhymes for free kick

Browse Nearby Words

free jazz
free kick
Free Kirk
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Cite this Entry

“Free kick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20kick. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

free kick

noun
: a kick (as in football or soccer) with which an opponent may not interfere
also : such a kick awarded because an opponent has broken the rules

More from Merriam-Webster on free kick

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about free kick

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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