<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>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</li><li>the ball used in this game, an inflated oval with a bladder contained in a casing usually made of leather</li><li>Chiefly British. Rugby</li><li>Chiefly British. soccer</li><li>something sold at a reduced or special price</li><li>any person or thing treated roughly or tossed about: They're making a political football of this issue</li><li>U.S. Government 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</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>to offer for sale at a reduced or special price</li></ul>