1. a long, narrow boat with a flat bottom that is moved by pushing a long pole against the bottom of a river
2. a kick in football where the ball is dropped and kicked before it hits the ground
Usage: American football

1. to move a punt by pushing a long pole against the bottom of a river
2. to kick a football by dropping it and kicking it before it hits the ground
Usage: American football
3. to avoid making a decision or taking action
Usage: informal

Examples

• We rented a punt to explore the quiet river.
• He learned to punt along the Cambridge waterways.
• The team’s punt traveled 45 yards downfield.
• The quarterback decided to punt on fourth down.
• The committee chose to punt on the controversial issue.
• Rather than make a tough choice, she decided to punt.
• The shallow punt drifted slowly downstream.
• The coach called for a punt to change field position.