Definition

1. Noun:
   • A score in basketball: A field goal is a score made by throwing the ball through the hoop during regular play, worth two or three points depending on the shooter's distance from the basket.
   • A score in American football: A field goal is a score made by kicking the ball through the opponent's goal posts, typically worth three points.

Usage and Examples

• Basketball context:
  • He made a difficult field goal from the corner.
  • Her field goal percentage is the highest on the team.
• American football context:
  • The kicker scored the winning points with a 45-yard field goal.
  • They decided to attempt a field goal on fourth down.

Advanced Usage

• "Field goal attempt": The act of trying to score a field goal.
  • The last-second field goal attempt bounced off the rim.
• "Field goal range": In football, the distance from which a kicker is likely to make a successful field goal.
  • The team advanced the ball to get within field goal range.

Variants and Related Words

• Field Goal Percentage (FG%): A basketball statistic representing the ratio of successful field goals to attempts.
• Field Goal Kicker: The football player specialized in scoring field goals.

Synonyms

• Basketball: Basket, shot (when referring to a successful attempt).
• American football: Three-pointer (informal, referring to the points scored).

Notes on Different Meanings

• The meaning is entirely dependent on the sport. In a basketball discussion, "field goal" refers only to a basket. In an American football discussion, it refers only to a kicked score. The term is not used interchangeably between the sports.

Noun

1. a score in basketball made by throwing the ball through the hoop
2. a score in American football; a score made by kicking the ball between the opponents' goal posts