fullback
Americannoun
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fullbacks
plural
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a running back who lines up behind the quarterback and is farthest from the line of scrimmage.
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the position played by this back.
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(in soccer, Rugby, field hockey) a player stationed near the defended goal to carry out chiefly defensive duties.
noun
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soccer hockey one of two defensive players positioned in front of the goalkeeper
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rugby a defensive player positioned close to his own line
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the position held by any of these players
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of fullback
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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.
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“You’ve got to beat everyone and be able to be everyone,” said fullback Sergiño Dest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
With piles of snow at every intersection and pedestrians moving in slow motion, I regularly bolted ahead and mounted obstacles like a fullback rushing for glory, leaving Sarah somewhere behind.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026
Former Glasgow Warriors fullback Hogg amassed a century of senior caps for his country and was involved in three British and Irish Lions tours.
From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2026
“He’s severely underrated as an athlete,” quarterback Justin Herbert said of the 6-foot-4, 296-pound Matlock, who also catches passes in the flat as a fullback.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2025
That was probably the biggest reason why I believed our fight was far from over—the fullback psychology.
From "Winger" by Andrew Smith
Szoboszlai and Wirtz as the starting wide players will often move centrally with the fullbacks pushing up to provide the width.
From BBC ● Dec. 23, 2025
Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy talked in the spring about UCLA’s fullbacks playing “a huge role when needed.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2024
Another obstacle to Rowe returning to the go-to utility reserve role was the development of former academy players in Cody Baker and Reed Baker-Whiting as fullbacks.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 2, 2024
Also of note: The use of the guardian cap - a padded addition that fits over a regular football helmet - will be expanded during the preseason to include running backs and fullbacks.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 28, 2023
That was good news for the big fullbacks from Palmetto.
From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
