cornerback

American

[kawr-ner-bak] / ˈkɔr nərˌbæk /

noun

Football.

one of two defensive backs positioned in the secondary between the linebackers and safeties, responsible for covering the outside areas near the sidelines against end runs and pass plays.

cornerback British

/ ˈkɔːnəˌbæk /

noun

American football a defensive back

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cornerback

First recorded in 1965–70; corner + back ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

cornerback

And it was former Oregon and Chargers cornerback Nikko Reed who stepped up to the plate and guided Pleasant through his first two years of Power Four football.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 9, 2026

“I mean, two all-time greats?” said recently signed cornerback Jaylen Watson, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026

To a team that also includes star receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, they added end Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year, and All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

The Rams upgraded their most obvious weakness by trading for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and signing cornerback Jaylen Watson.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

No quarterback or cornerback or anyone else in any way associated with football had ever invited him to do anything.

From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023