fullback

American  

[fool-bak] / ˈfʊlˌbæk /

noun

Football.

1. a running back who lines up behind the quarterback and is farthest from the line of scrimmage.

2. the position played by this back.

3. (in soccer, Rugby, field hockey) a player stationed near the defended goal to carry out chiefly defensive duties.

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fullback British  

/ ˈfʊlˌbæk /

noun

1. soccer hockey one of two defensive players positioned in front of the goalkeeper

2. rugby a defensive player positioned close to his own line

3. the position held by any of these players

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Etymology

Origin of fullback

First recorded in 1885–90; full ¹ + back ¹

Compare meaning

How does fullback compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• fullback vs. halfback

Example Sentences

Szoboszlai and Wirtz as the starting wide players will often move centrally with the fullbacks pushing up to provide the width.

From BBC

Jones, a fullback, has been “an animal. He runs hard,” Guevara said.

From Los Angeles Times

Hansen, playing at fullback for the first time at Test level, touched down under the posts twice inside the first quarter of an hour.

From Barron's

Palmer has several assistant coaches with NFL and/or major college football experience, among them running backs coach Mike Karney, a bruising fixture at fullback for the New Orleans Saints; receivers coach T.J.

From Los Angeles Times

There was a fullback who was ruled ineligible before the first game when coaches learned he was significantly older than his teammates.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• halfback
• tailback