lineman

American  

[lahyn-muhn] / ˈlaɪn mən /

noun

linemen plural

1. Also a person who installs or repairs telephone, telegraph, or other wires.

2. Football. one of the players in the line, as a center, guard, tackle, or end.

3. Surveying. a person who marks the positions of a survey mark with a range pole or the like.

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lineman British  

/ ˈlaɪnmən /

noun

1. another name for platelayer

2. a person who does the chaining, taping, or marking of points for a surveyor

3. (formerly) the member of a beach life-saving team who controlled the line used to help drowning swimmers and surfers

4. American football a member of the row of players who start each down positioned on either side of the line of scrimmage

5. another word for linesman

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Gender

See -man.

Other Word Forms

• underlineman
  noun

Etymology

Origin of lineman

First recorded in 1855–60; line ¹ + -man

Example Sentences

Udeze, from the class of 2000, was an All-American defensive lineman at USC and later first-round draft choice.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

And his market figures to be especially robust not only because of his talent, but also because he’s by far the best available offensive lineman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Last year, the Rams signed Adams before free agency began, and then signed center Coleman Shelton, defensive lineman Poona Ford and linebacker Nate Landman after it started.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound junior defensive lineman in football also is impacting basketball games for the Lions.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

Puts a spin move on Justyce’s defensive lineman and gets the first down.

From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone