a game in which two opposing teams of 11 players each defend goals at opposite ends of a field having goal posts at each end, with points being scored chiefly by carrying the ball across the opponent's goal line and by place-kicking or drop-kicking the ball over the crossbar between the opponent's goal posts. Compare conversion ( def. 13 ) , field goal ( def. 1 ) , safety ( def. 6 ) , touchdown.

the ball used in this game, an inflated oval with a bladder contained in a casing usually made of leather.

Chiefly British . Rugby ( def. 3 ) .

Chiefly British . soccer.

something sold at a reduced or special price.

any person or thing treated roughly or tossed about

They're making a political football of this issue.

( initial capital letter ) U.S. Government Slang . a briefcase containing the codes and options the president would use to launch a nuclear attack, carried by a military aide and kept available to the president at all times.

Informal . to offer for sale at a reduced or special price.

noun

american football , canadian football , association football , rugby , soccer , the pigskin sport , grid game , gridiron pastime , regulation football , pigskin , oval * , inflated oval , peanut * , pineapple , porker , moleskin , sphere * , watermelon