wide receiver

American  

noun

Football.

wide receivers plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• wide receivers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of wide receiver

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wide receiver

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

Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua makes his first public comments since being sued for allegedly biting a woman in December.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026

“A.J. is a member of the Eagles,” Roseman said after using a first-round pick on USC wide receiver Makai Lemon in April.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 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

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

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