linebacker
Americannoun
-
a player on defense who takes a position close behind the linemen.
-
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:
Daniel Adongo, 37, who was a linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts for two years, overstayed his visa in 2016, the year after his NFL career ended, according to the US authorities.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Micah Parsons, a linebacker recently traded to the Green Bay Packers, just signed a four-year, $186 million contract.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
Rod Martin, who grew up in L.A., played decisive roles for the Raiders in two Super Bowl wins and was a star linebacker at USC, has died at 72.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026
The 21-year-old is the son of Super Bowl-winning linebacker Lorenzo Styles and Sonny's older brother Lorenzo Jr also hopes to be drafted this weekend.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026
But he was built like a linebacker, which didn’t involve ball skills at all, so Dad held out hope.
From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon
“The safeties were wide enough, and the linebackers were out. It was a light box,” said quarterback coach Chandler Whitmer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 20, 2026
Outside of Roman and Devlin, Hortiz announced that linebackers coach NaVorro Bowman is departing the Chargers and coaching altogether.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 15, 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
A former NFL linebacker who spent two seasons as USC’s defensive line coach, So’oto took a job as Cal’s outside linebackers coach in 2022.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 2, 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.
