foul line

noun

1
: either of two straight lines extending from the rear corner of home plate through the outer corners of first and third base respectively and prolonged to the boundary of a baseball field
2
: a line across a bowling alley that a player must not step over when delivering the ball
3
: either of two lines on a basketball court parallel to and 15 feet from the backboards behind which a player must stand while shooting a free throw

Examples of foul line in a Sentence

The ball landed just inside the right-field foul line.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unlike Harden, Herro was largely true with his stroke, while Harden compensated with his trips to the foul line. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2025 Earlier in the fourth, Malone had lost his patience with his second unit as the Suns paraded to the foul line, sending Jokic to the table with 9:01 left. — Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2025 Across 1,196 career contests in an 18-year NBA run (997 starts), Mutombo logged regular season averages of 9.8 points on 51.8 percent shooting from the floor and 68.4 percent shooting from the foul line, 10.3 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and 1.0 assists a night. — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025 The first-time All-Star starter erupted for 42 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds on 14-of-27 shooting from the field and 9-of-10 from the foul line, leading the Knicks to a 124-118 victory — a bounce-back win after Saturday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and their sixth win in seven games. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for foul line

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of foul line was in 1868

Rhymes for foul line

See All Rhymes for foul line

Browse Nearby Words

foul line
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Cite this Entry

“Foul line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foul%20line. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

foul line

noun
1
: either of two straight lines running from the rear corner of home plate through first and third base on to the boundary of a baseball field
2
: a line across which a player must not step (as when bowling or shooting a free throw)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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