/foot"bawl'/ , n.
1. a game in which two opposing teams of 11 players each defend goals at opposite ends of a field having goal posts at each end, with points being scored chiefly by carrying the ball across the opponent's goal line and by place-kicking or drop-kicking the ball over the crossbar between the opponent's goal posts. Cf. conversion (def. 13), field goal (def. 1), safety (def. 6), touchdown .
2. the ball used in this game, an inflated oval with a bladder contained in a casing usually made of leather.
3. Chiefly Brit. Rugby (def. 3).
4. Chiefly Brit. soccer.
5. something sold at a reduced or special price.
6. any person or thing treated roughly or tossed about: They're making a political football of this issue.
7. ( cap. ) U.S. Govt. Slang. a briefcase containing the codes and options the president would use to launch a nuclear attack, carried by a military aide and kept available to the president at all times.
v.t.
8. Informal. to offer for sale at a reduced or special price.
[ 1350-1400; ME fut ball. See FOOT, BALL 1 ]