wide receiver

American  

noun

Football.

1. an offensive player positioned wide of the formation, as a split end, used primarily as a pass receiver.

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wide receiver British  

noun

1. American football a player whose function is to catch long passes from the quarterback

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Etymology

Origin of wide receiver

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

And, in the case of University of Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore, that amounted to upward of $80,000.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

The Chargers fulfilled needs at wide receiver, the offensive and defensive lines and in the secondary during Day 3 of the NFL draft.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

Ah’Mari, a whip-fast sophomore wide receiver with two state championships under his belt, peered out the window as various high-school campuses passed below.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

Six teams finished with two first-round picks while the Jets had three after jumping back into the first round for wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

He was tall and brown, built thin and powerful like a wide receiver.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates