punt

Other forms: punts; punting; punted

A punt is a certain kind of kick, like when a rugby player drops the ball and kicks it before it hits the ground.

Punts are used in various sports, but you're most likely to see a punt in a football or rugby game. The word punt can be used as both a noun and a verb: "She could punt that ball half way across the field like it was nothing." The root of punt is probably the word bunt, a dialectical variation from the Midlands in England that means "to butt or push with the head."

Definitions of punt

1. noun

   an open flat-bottomed boat used in shallow waters and propelled by a long pole
   type of:

   boat

   a small vessel for travel on water
2. verb

   propel with a pole
   “We went punting in Cambridge”

   synonyms: pole

   type of:

   impel, propel

   cause to move forward with force
3. noun

   (football) a kick in which the football is dropped from the hands and kicked before it touches the ground
   “the punt traveled 50 yards”

   synonyms: punting

   type of:

   boot, kick, kicking

   the act of delivering a blow with the foot
4. verb

   kick the ball
   type of:

   kick

   drive or propel with the foot
5. noun

   formerly the basic unit of money in Ireland; equal to 100 pence
   synonyms: Irish pound, Irish punt, pound

   type of:

   Irish monetary unit

   monetary unit in Eire
6. verb

   place a bet on
   synonyms: back, bet on, gage, game, stake

   types:

   ante

   place one's stake

   double up, parlay

   stake winnings from one bet on a subsequent wager

   type of:

   bet, play, wager

   stake on the outcome of an issue