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.

Doyle said he "didn't mind" school, but "wanted to play football more than read".

From BBC • May 31, 2026

Players held up a photo of the late Angelo Gasca, Venice’s football coach who also helped coach softball.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

I cast my mind back to the games in September or October and it was slightly different football, much more possession-based.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

The Gunners had less than 25% of possession, and Kai Havertz's early opening goal was their only shot on target in 120 minutes of football.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

Inside the football were folders with the secret commands needed to launch a nuclear strike.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin