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REFERENCE

football

n.
US //ˈfʊtˌbɔɫ// UK //fˈʊtbɔːl// foot·ball
  1. 1 the sport (American) (n.)
    A1 Beginner American English Sport

    a game played with an oval ball where players run and throw to score points.

    American football; a full-contact team sport played with an ovoid ball on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end.

    Example

    We spent the whole Sunday afternoon watching football on TV.

    Example

    College football remains a massive cultural phenomenon in the Southern United States, often drawing larger crowds than professional games.

    Usage

    In the United States, 'football' exclusively refers to the American version of the game.
    • gridiron
  2. 2 the physical ball (n.)
    A1 Beginner Sport

    the actual ball used to play the game.

    The inflated ball, whether spherical or ovoid, used in any of the various games known as football.

    Example

    The children pumped up the football before heading to the park.

    Example

    The referee inspected the football to ensure it was inflated to the regulation pressure before the match commenced.
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  1. 3 a political issue (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a problem or topic that politicians argue about for a long time.

    A problem or issue that is discussed or debated back and forth, often for political gain.

    Example

    The new tax law became a political football during the election.

    Example

    The funding for the new hospital has become a political football, with both parties using it to score points rather than solving the budget crisis.
  2. 4 nuclear briefcase (n.)
    C2 Proficiency American English Slang Technical Science

    the special bag that stays near the US President to control nuclear weapons.

    The briefcase containing the authentication codes and equipment required to authorise a nuclear attack. Always takes 'the'.

    Example

    A military aide always carries the football near the president.

    Example

    The existence of the nuclear football ensures that the commander-in-chief maintains command and control over the nation's arsenal at all times.
    • nuclear briefcase
Origin

From Middle English fotbal, footbal, equivalent to foot + ball, because the ball was primarily manipulated with the feet in early versions of the game (though some modern varieties involve more handling than kicking). The name for the briefcase is a play on “dropkick”, the code name of an early version of the nuclear war plan.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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