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.
Bane also ranks in the top five in scoring, made field goals and 3-point percentage. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026 Mandatory minicamp, and the third phase of the offseason program, ended with Folk’s field goal. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 17 June 2026 Clark scored Indiana’s first two field goals of the third quarter, a midrange jumper and another three, but the Sun kept the pressure on. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026 But passes to Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce netted 44 yards and gave Butker room for a 49-yard field goal that sent the game into overtime. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 17 June 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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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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