soccer

noun

soc·​cer ˈsä-kər How to pronounce soccer (audio)
: 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 family-friendly event features two inflatable obstacle courses, interactive children’s activities, face painting and a soccer shootout game. —Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024 The following month, Harris filed for divorce from wife and fellow soccer pro, Ali Krieger. —Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024 Both subscribe to a soccer style – possession, flexibility, passing, running and playing into space, mobility – which has its DNA in a tradition dating back to Cruyff, the architect of the modern soccer game who coached Guardiola as a player. —John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024 Colleyville Heritage girls soccer is heading the UIL state championship tournament in Georgetown. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024 Shaw turned pro in July 2022, opting out of a scholarship offer from the University of North Carolina women’s soccer to sign with National Women’s Soccer League expansion team San Diego Wave FC. —Cassidy Hettesheimer, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024 In fact, one small study found doing two hours of low-intensity exercise per week improved recovery—and also boosted running performance—after about a month; another found benefits for recovery and endurance when pro soccer players incorporated more lower-intensity training. —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 6 Apr. 2024 Saginaw boys soccer throttles Lake Dallas Saginaw boys soccer had a historic performance Friday night at Chisholm Trail High School, winning an area round playoff game for the first time in program history. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2024 And maybe by the start of the 2026 soccer season, Current fans will be able to ride — rather than drive —to see a match, watch the river flow and the downtown skyline light up. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'soccer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Phrases Containing soccer

Dictionary Entries Near soccer

so-called dollar

soccer

soccer mom

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Soccer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soccer. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

soccer

noun
soc·​cer ˈsäk-ər How to pronounce soccer (audio)
: 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.

More from Merriam-Webster on soccer

Nglish: Translation of soccer for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of soccer for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about soccer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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