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

Hunter Sixkiller, who is part of the Blinn program, said he participated in Texas A&M traditions like the football game-day “Midnight Yell,” and “Muster,” a remembrance of students who died.

From The Wall Street Journal • 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

They’re playing at home and coached by one of the biggest names in world football, Argentina’s Mauricio Pochettino, former head coach at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026

My heart felt like an exploding football in my chest.

From "Fourth Grade Rats" by Jerry Spinelli