fullback
Americannoun
-
fullbacks
plural
-
a running back who lines up behind the quarterback and is farthest from the line of scrimmage.
-
the position played by this back.
-
(in soccer, Rugby, field hockey) a player stationed near the defended goal to carry out chiefly defensive duties.
noun
-
soccer hockey one of two defensive players positioned in front of the goalkeeper
-
rugby a defensive player positioned close to his own line
-
the position held by any of these players
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of fullback
Compare meaning
How does fullback compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Vocabulary lists containing fullback
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:
She has, however, sold two Samoyeds to Kyle and Kristin Juszczyk, the San Francisco 49ers fullback and sportswear designer, who attended Swift and Kelce’s wedding.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Aguirre is also expected to give playing time to 17-year-old prospect Gilberto Mora in midfield — possibly in place of Gutiérrez — and to bring in Jorge Sánchez for Reyes at fullback.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
Trent Alexander-Arnold, a Champions League winner at Liverpool and arguably the best attacking fullback in world soccer, was also deemed surplus to requirements.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 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
Then the fullback kicked the ball back toward his own goaltender, who only had to cradle it and run out the clock.
From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor
Both fullbacks hold the width whilst Jones drops deep to help Liverpool build out from the back.
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
Sounders general manger Craig Waibel returned the entire defensive line — inking new deals for fullbacks Alex Roldan and Nouhou and re-signing keeper Stefan Frei.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 23, 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
The Palmetto team had two big fullbacks who couldn’t play soccer at all but who wiped out anybody who got near the goal.
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.
