Definition

Noun: 1. A boundary line on a baseball field: In baseball, the foul lines are the two straight lines extending from home plate through first base and third base to the outfield fence, marking the legal playing area. A ball landing outside these lines is a foul ball. 2. A limit line on a bowling lane: In bowling, the foul line is the line at the start of the lane that a player must not cross or touch when delivering the ball. Doing so results in a foul. 3. A shooting line in basketball: In basketball, the foul line (also commonly called the free-throw line) is the line from which a player takes unopposed shots (free throws) after a foul by the opposing team.

Usage Examples

• Baseball:
  • The batter hit the ball just inside the foul line for a fair ball.
  • The umpire signaled that the ball had landed beyond the foul line.
• Bowling:
  • The bowler was careful not to step over the foul line.
  • A sensor detects if any part of your foot touches the foul line.
• Basketball:
  • She stepped up to the foul line to take her free throws.
  • He practices shooting from the foul line every day.

Advanced Usage

• "To shoot from the foul line": Specifically in basketball, to attempt a free throw.
  • With the game on the line, the player calmly shot from the foul line.
• "To drive down the foul line": In baseball, a hit that travels close to and parallel with the foul line.
  • His double was a hard grounder that stayed fair by driving down the foul line.

Variants and Related Words

• Baseline (noun): In tennis or basketball, this is a different boundary line at the back of the court. It is not a synonym for foul line.
• Free-throw line (noun): The specific term for the foul line in basketball. The terms are often used interchangeably.
• Foul (noun/adjective/verb): The root word, meaning a violation of the rules or something offensive. A in basketball leads to shooting from the .

Synonyms

• Boundary line: A general term for a line marking a limit (applicable to baseball and bowling contexts).
• Free-throw line: A direct synonym in basketball.

Related Phrases

• Behind the foul line: Refers to the area from which a bowler delivers the ball or a basketball player shoots free throws.
  • Make sure you release the ball from behind the foul line.
• Along the foul line: Describes movement or position parallel to the boundary in baseball.
  • The outfielder ran along the foul line to catch the pop fly.

Noun

1. lines through 1st and 3rd base indicating the boundaries of a baseball field
2. a line across a bowling alley that a bowler must not cross
3. a line from which basketball players take penalty shots