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, football

Examples of soccer in a Sentence

Both of their children play soccer.
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.
Deputies recently visited Kevin as well, bringing the teen new soccer gear after his cleats were destroyed in the lightning strike. — Luli Ortiz, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 Ashton and Zachary Smith from Philadelphia are guests in Croatia this week after the couple accidentally celebrated their wedding in June with a crowd of joyful Croatian soccer fans during the FIFA World Cup in the United States. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 The tie-in should have major reach, as soccer is the most popular sport in the world and though its fan base is primarily male, women comprise around 38 percent. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026 The other nominees are Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, 76ers forward LeBron James, auto racer Lewis Hamilton, soccer star and Dodgers pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani and Warriors guard Stephen Curry. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for soccer

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

Rhymes for soccer

See All Rhymes for soccer

Browse Nearby Words

so-called dollar
soccer
soccer mom
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Soccer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soccer. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about soccer

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