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

Examples of soccer in a Sentence

Both of their children play soccer.

Recent Examples on the Web

The 26-year-old is part of a fresh-thinking Belgium national team setup, and Pimienta—who presided over a clear soccer style in his previous job at Las Palmas—is getting the best from him. —Henry Flynn, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

Published on October 26, 2024 By Naomi Rougeau Janelle Jones Oasis has buried the hatchet; soccer season is in full swing, and fashion’s fixation on all things ‘90s endures. —Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2024

Collegiate’s boys soccer team and South Oldham’s girls soccer team each qualified for next week’s state semifinal matches. —Rich Barak, The Courier-Journal, 25 Oct. 2024

Verizon will serve as a supporting partner for City in the Community’s night leagues program, a youth weekend soccer program that provides New York City youth a safe space to play and connects participants to mentors to improve their career and college readiness. —Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

by shortening & alteration from association football

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing soccer

• soccer mom
• table soccer

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

Etymology

by shortening and alteration of association football

Word Origin

Soccer is the world's most popular sport. In most countries, however, its name is not soccer but football. In England, where the modern game started, it is usually called either football or association football. The latter name comes from the fact that the rules of the game were standardized when the Football Association was founded in England in 1863. The word soccer comes from the last three letters of the abbreviation assoc., which stands for "association." Although the word soccer was first used in England, the only countries where it is now the usual name for the sport are the U.S. and Canada.