WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
foul′ line′,
- Sport[Baseball.]either of the two lines connecting home plate with first and third base respectively, or their continuations to the end of the outfield.
- SportAlso called free throw line. [Basketball.]a line on the court 15 ft. (4.6 m) from the backboard, from which foul shots are taken.
- Sport[Bowling.]a line on an alley at right angles to the gutters and 60 ft. (18.3 m) from the center of the spot for the headpin, across which a bowler may not step for fair delivery of the ball.
- 1875–80, American.
'foul line' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
approach
- bucket
- corner
- foul
- foul ball
- foul pole
- foul shot
- free throw lane
- free throw line
- keyhole