playmaker

American  

[pley-mey-ker] / ˈpleɪˌmeɪ kər /

noun

Sports.

1. an offensive player, as in basketball or ice hockey, who executes plays designed to put one or more teammates in a position to score.

2. Archaic. a playwright; dramatist.

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playmaker British  

/ ˈpleɪˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. sport a player whose role is to create scoring opportunities for his or her team-mates

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Other Word Forms

• playmaking noun

Etymology

Origin of playmaker

First recorded in 1520–30; play + maker

Example Sentences

The Germany playmaker missed Liverpool's win against West Ham and is most likely to return in the Champions League game against Galatasaray on 10 March.

From BBC

Several fans had already invaded the pitch in order to get close to Messi, who was taking a selfie with one when another grabbed the former Barcelona playmaker around his waist.

From BBC

He spoke to Foden on the touchline with the playmaker stationed between the lines, centrally, which opened up space out wide.

From BBC

He returned to the replacements in place of his namesake against Scotland, leaving the Harlequins playmaker out of the matchday squad - even with his ability to cover full-back.

From BBC

“We’re just enjoying every game we have, and every opportunity,” said Caroline Harvey, a defensive playmaker and Edwards’s and Simms’s teammate at…how long do I keep doing this?

From The Wall Street Journal