linebacker
Americannoun
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linebackers
plural
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a player on defense who takes a position close behind the linemen.
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the position played by this player.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of linebacker
Explanation
A linebacker is a defensive player on an American football team. If you ever hear someone described as being "built like a linebacker," it means the person is large and strong. There are usually three or four linebackers on the field during play. A linebacker's job is to defend the goal area of the football field against runs, and to block plays by the opposing team. Linebackers usually stand behind the line of scrimmage in front of the defensive backs known as safeties. There are several different specific kinds of linebackers, including middle, outside, strongside, and weakside.
Vocabulary lists containing linebacker
American Football, 2nd Quarter
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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.
See Examples For:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie linebacker Jack Pyburn recorded two sacks in a preseason victory over the New York Jets on Friday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
Wait for the young players, led by freshman linebacker Aydan Steen, to come on strong late in season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
Chesney selected Martin to be one of his first ambassadors to regional and national media outlets covering Big Ten football media days in Chicago, joining linebacker Sammy Omosigho and quarterback Nico Iamaleava representing the Bruins.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
As for playing linebacker, Kirkpatrick said the requirements include playing like a “Swiss Army Knife.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
He was at least three inches taller, less pudgy, and more bulky, like a linebacker.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
As an NFL fullback, Patrick DiMarco faced linebackers the size of French Door fridges.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
Trovon Reed will continue to coach cornerbacks and Rob Ryan, for the time being at least, remains as linebackers coach.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2026
Ekeler has previously worked at USC, coaching linebackers under Lane Kiffin in 2013.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 20, 2026
“Having two linebackers who weren’t on our team a month ago—and those guys playing that whole game at a high level—was so impressive,” Shanahan said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 14, 2026
Several days later, starting linebackers Ivory Christian and Chad Payne found jersies with the numbers of Irving Nimitz’s starting running backs on them.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
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.
