Definition

1. Noun:
   • A team sport played on a rectangular field: American football is a game played by two teams of eleven players each on a field 100 yards (approximately 91 meters) long. The primary objective is to score points by advancing an oval ball into the opposing team's end zone.

Usage

• American football is a noun used to name the specific sport. It is typically used in a general sense to refer to the game itself, its rules, or its culture.
• It distinguishes the North American sport from other football codes, such as soccer (association football) or rugby football.

Examples

• Noun:
  • American football is especially popular in the United States and Canada.
  • The Super Bowl is the championship game of American football.
  • He has played American football since he was in high school.

Advanced Usage

• "the intricacies of American football": Refers to the complex rules and strategies of the game.
  • It took me a season to understand the intricacies of American football.
• "American football culture": Describes the traditions, fan behavior, and societal aspects surrounding the sport.
  • The documentary explored American football culture in Texas.

Variants and Related Words

• Football (U.S.): In American English, "football" commonly refers to American football. However, in an international context, "American football" is used for clarity.
• Gridiron football: A synonym sometimes used, referring to the field's marked lines.
• Canadian football: A closely related variant with slightly different rules, played in Canada.

Synonyms

• Gridiron: (Informal, chiefly U.S.) A term for the field or the game itself.

Related Phrases

• To play American football: The verb phrase for participating in the sport.
  • She wants to play American football for her university.
• American football game/match: Specifies a single contest or event.
  • We watched an exciting American football game last night.
• American football team: Refers to a group of players organized to compete.
  • He was recruited by a professional American football team.

Notes on Meaning

• This term specifically denotes the sport characterized by downs, forward passes, tackles, and the distinct oval ball. It is not interchangeable with "soccer," which is called "football" in most other parts of the world.

Noun

1. a game played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field 100 yards long; teams try to get possession of the ball and advance it across the opponents goal line in a series of (running or passing) plays