free kick

noun

: a kick (as in football, soccer, or rugby) with which an opponent may not interfere
especially : such a kick in any direction awarded because of an infraction of the rules by an opponent

Examples of free kick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The former resulted in a yellow card on Issa Diop, but the ensuing free kick was easily handled by Morocco’s defense. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 June 2026 Switzerland was given a free kick just outside the box, but Bosnia and Herzegovina’s goalkeeper made the save. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 June 2026 Zaire was facing Brazil, which set up a free kick just outside the box. Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 June 2026 During first-half stoppage time, Rezaeian’s free kick was headed home by Ali Nemati, but Nemati was clearly offside and the goal was waived off by the referees. Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for free kick

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free kick was in 1862

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Cite this Entry

“Free kick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20kick. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

free kick

noun
: a kick (as in football or soccer) with which an opponent may not interfere
also : such a kick awarded because an opponent has broken the rules

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