quarterback
Americannoun
-
quarterbacks
plural
verb (used with object)
-
to direct the offense of (a team).
-
to lead or direct.
to quarterback a public-relations campaign.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a player in American or Canadian football, positioned usually behind the centre, who directs attacking play
-
wisdom after the event, esp by spectators
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of quarterback
Explanation
In American football, the quarterback is in charge of the team's offense. When football players huddle in a circle to plan their plays, the quarterback usually decides which strategy to use. In many ways, a quarterback is a team's leader, although ultimately the coach is in charge. When an NFL team wins the Super Bowl, the quarterback accepts the winning trophy. As a verb, to quarterback either means, literally, to play the position of quarterback, or to lead a team or project: "The teacher asked me to quarterback the class Halloween party." Quarterback comes from the starting field position, between the center and the halfback.
Vocabulary lists containing quarterback
Set, Hut! Football Vocabulary
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American Football, 1st Quarter
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February Vocabulary Words
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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:
There was a brief injury scare to quarterback Nico Iamaleava, but by then, the Bruins had effectively won the game with two things they did poorly a season ago: rushing and defense.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026
But from the second quarter, when quarterback Sam Leavitt sprinted for two touchdown runs to put LSU up 31-3, it was clear that there would be nothing close about Saturday’s contest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026
If the offensive line can stay healthy, thus keeping the 38-year-old quarterback healthy, even a slightly-less-than-special teams can’t hurt this bunch.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026
The Vikings are betting that former No. 1 draft pick Kyler Murray can be their starting quarterback.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026
Then I look up and I see Jenny Flick, arms folded, glaring at me, and Bill Corso, the school’s semi-illiterate star quarterback, standing behind her.
From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King
He remembers watching BYU football games with his father at home since he was 6 and can run off a list of names of former BYU quarterbacks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026
Elite quarterbacks such as the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes or the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen never hit the open market.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
Montes shadows the quarterbacks and tries to listen in on Chesney and others whenever he can.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
He also paid to catch passes from NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady and Drew Brees, and to return a serve from tennis legend John McEnroe.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026
And, generally, people whose lives were going great—NFL quarterbacks, rock stars, famous actors and actresses, genius scientists—generally, they didn’t give up their kids for adoption.
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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.
