quarterback

American  

[kwawr-ter-bak] / ˈkwɔr tərˌbæk /

noun

quarterbacks plural

1. a back in football who usually lines up immediately behind the center and directs the offense of the team.

2. the position played by this back.

3. a person who leads or directs a group or activity.

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verb (used with object)

1. to direct the offense of (a team).

2. to lead or direct.

   to quarterback a public-relations campaign.

verb (used without object)

1. to play the position of quarterback.

quarterback British  

/ ˈkwɔːtəˌbæk /

noun

1. a player in American or Canadian football, positioned usually behind the centre, who directs attacking play

2. wisdom after the event, esp by spectators

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• quarterbacks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of quarterback

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; quarter + back ¹

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

quarterback quarterbacks

“And I think anybody enjoys playing with a quarterback who competes, who’s going to throw it all in there, and that’s the mentality he has. ... That’s something that’s been kind of his calling card.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

LOYOLA: If Cubs can get production at the quarterback position, they can surprise teams.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026

Rams rookie Ty Simpson says is doing all he can to speed up his development as Matthew Stafford’s heir apparent at starting quarterback.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

Cam Newton, the former Carolina Panthers quarterback who made regular appearances on ESPN’s “First Take,” was also let go.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

But the game he felt proudest of took place when he had played quarterback for the Mount Vernon Purple and White Tigers in the homecoming game against Sulphur Spring.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

And those legendary quarterbacks were still chasing their sport’s greatest prizes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

Football quarterbacks sometimes exaggerate hits to sell roughing-the-passer penalties.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

He also co-founded an Orlando 7-on-7 organization, a low-contact version of football that spotlights top position players, such as quarterbacks and receivers, and has become integral to college recruiting.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

Other prominent athletes who became his patients include former Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and star NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Burrow.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 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

Related Words

• accompany
• advise
• educate
• escort
• govern
• handle
• influence
• instruct
• manage
• maneuver
• navigate
• oversee
• regulate
• see
• shepherd
• steer
• supervise
• sway
• teach
• train