soccer

noun

soc·cer ˈsä-kər

: a game played on a field between two teams of 11 players each with the object to propel a round ball into the opponent's goal by kicking or by hitting it with any part of the body except the hands and arms

called also association football

Example Sentences

Both of their children play soccer.

Recent Examples on the Web Mulligan had previously worked with the coach at a Massachusetts boarding school, where Mulligan discovered his relationship with a senior on the girls' soccer team, according to the report.

Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2022 Emerson stepped down earlier this year to become managing director for business operations of Huntsville’s new minor league soccer team.

Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 1 Dec. 2022 As an example of the resolve of the Iranian people, Netanyahu referenced the Iranian World Cup soccer team remaining silent during their national anthem before their first game of the tournament.

Andrew Murray, Fox News, 30 Nov. 2022 Where the Iranian soccer team fits into all this has been a subject of debate among Iranians and those watching from abroad.

Alexander Smith, NBC News, 30 Nov. 2022 As the tournament got underway, social media posts lamented the focus on the soccer team as the death toll rose.

Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 30 Nov. 2022 For months, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has pushed a controversial plan to turn over public housing land to a professional soccer team owned by an influential billionaire.

Mick Dumke, ProPublica, 30 Nov. 2022 Iranians celebrated their national soccer team’s loss to the U.S. at the World Cup late on Tuesday, defying the country’s leadership who have attempted to use the tournament to rally support for the regime after months of protests.

Benoit Faucon, WSJ, 30 Nov. 2022 Many others — discos, roller rinks, a professional soccer team, rock bands — did not.

Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'soccer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

by shortening & alteration from association football

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of soccer was in 1885

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Soccer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soccer. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

soccer

noun

soc·cer ˈsäk-ər

: a football game with 11 players on a side in which a round ball is advanced by kicking it or by hitting it with any part of the body except the hands and arms