cornerback

[ kawr-ner-bak ]

/ ˈkɔr nərˌbæk /

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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.

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Origin of cornerback

First recorded in 1965–70; corner + back¹

Words nearby cornerback

Cornelius, Cornell, Cornellá de Llobregat, corneous, corner, cornerback, Corner Brook, corner cabinet, corner chair, cornered, corner kick

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cornerback in a sentence

Chiefs cornerbacks played aggressively, and once officials flagged their handsy coverage, they failed to adjust.
What went wrong for the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes in a brutal Super Bowl defeat|Adam Kilgore|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
His unit is the NFL’s top-ranked run defense and often forces opponents to throw, but the Bucs lack a top-flight cover cornerback and their secondary is liable to allow big plays.
What you need to know about Super Bowl LV|Sam Fortier|February 7, 2021|Washington Post
He had matched up his best cornerback, Carlton Davis, against Hill, but Davis was beaten 11 times for 223 yards and all three of Hill’s touchdowns.
Predictions for Super Bowl LV: Lots of scoring, plus a concern for Patrick Mahomes|John Clayton|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
The Chiefs’ secondary has improved greatly since Brady carved them up in the AFC championship game two years ago, and the play of their cornerbacks in man coverage against the Bills was impressive.
4 big questions for Super Bowl 55|John Clayton|February 2, 2021|Washington Post

Just a few snaps after rotational cornerback Rashad Fenton was put in, he caught a tipped pass for an interception in the red zone that all but sealed the game.
The Chiefs Defense Used Four Big Safeties To Get To The Super Bowl|Josh Hermsmeyer|January 28, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
John Johnson, who played both wingback and cornerback for Army in 1964, felt the same way.
A West Point MVP Who Never Played a Down|Nicolaus Mills|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Antonio Cromartie The athletic but injury prone cornerback, along with his 28 career interceptions, was released by the Jets.
First Mega-Deal Is Done as the NFL’s Free Agent Scrap Begins|Ben Teitelbaum|March 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The faces attached to this debate are Denver quarterback Peyton Manning and Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman.
Peyton Manning Vs. Richard Sherman|Allen Barra|January 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson is often said to be the only defensive player to take home the trophy in 1997.
The Heisman ‘Bad Boys’: Jameis Winston, Johnny Manziel, and Who Should Really Win|Allen Barra|December 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Sure, it was completely broken coverage by cornerback Chris Culliver, who made headlines earlier this week for anti-gay remarks.
15 Best Moments of the 2013 Super Bowl (VIDEO)|Ben Teitelbaum|February 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for cornerback

cornerback

/ (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