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.

Mr. Mirchuk says he watches these complex attacks unfold “like a football match” from screens in the command post.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026

Newcastle had secured Champions League football for the second time in three seasons.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026

A nation that owes its football existence to the son - Charles Miller, the founding father of Brazilian football - of a man from Fairlie in North Ayrshire is targeting a sixth World Cup.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026

Records show that football was popular in Scotland from the 15th Century.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

I prefer geeking out on Nintendo or practicing guitar over spending a cold night at a football game.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith