Definition

1. Noun:
   • A boundary line at each end of a playing field: The "goal line" is the line that marks the boundary at each end of a playing area in sports such as football (soccer), American football, rugby, and hockey. It is the line on which the goal is positioned or which a player must cross to score.

Usage

• The "goal line" is a fixed boundary in field sports. In many games, the ball must completely cross this line to count as a score (a goal or a touchdown).
• It is a key reference point for officials to determine if a score has been made or if the ball has gone out of bounds.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The striker kicked the ball just wide of the goal line.
  • The rugby player was tackled just inches short of the goal line.
  • The referee checked the video replay to see if the ball had crossed the goal line.

Advanced Usage

• "To cross the goal line": To move the ball completely over the goal line, resulting in a score.
  • The running back fought hard to cross the goal line for the winning touchdown.
• "Goal-line technology": A system used in sports like soccer to determine with technology whether the ball has fully crossed the goal line.
  • Goal-line technology helped the referee confirm the controversial goal.

Variants and Related Words

• Goal (n): The structure or area where points are scored, situated on the goal line.
  • He shot the ball into the goal.
• End line (n): In some sports like basketball, a similar boundary line at the end of the court. (Note: This is a related but distinct term from "goal line," which is specific to goal-based field sports.)

Synonyms

• Try line (n): Specifically in rugby, the line at which a try is scored (functionally equivalent to a goal line in that sport).
• Byline (n): In soccer (football), the line marking the boundary at the end of the pitch; it runs along the width of the field and includes the goal line. (Note: The goal line is the specific segment of the byline between the goalposts.)

Related Phrases

• Goal-line stand (n): In American football, a defensive effort that prevents the offensive team from scoring by stopping them very close to the goal line.
  • The team's goal-line stand in the final minute secured their victory.
• Goal-line clearance (n): In soccer, the act of preventing the ball from crossing the goal line to stop a goal from being scored.
  • The defender made a spectacular goal-line clearance.

Noun

1. a line marking each end of the playing field or pitch; where the goals stand