wide receiver

American  

noun

Football.

• wide receivers
  plural

1. an offensive player positioned wide of the formation, as a split end, used primarily as a pass receiver.

---

wide receiver British  

noun

1. American football a player whose function is to catch long passes from the quarterback

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• wide receivers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of wide receiver

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wide receiver

Morris played wide receiver at Texas Tech then ascended through the coaching ranks at Washington State and Incarnate Word in San Antonio.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

On the second play of the Chargers’ second possession, Herbert connected with wide receiver Quentin Johnston over the middle on a sensational 65-yard touchdown pass.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

It’s not often that somebody gets their real-estate license and becomes a Super Bowl champion within a year, but that’s exactly what Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. did.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

And playing as a wide receiver, he was immediately dominant against kids who had played the game their whole life.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

Just like back when you and Clancy pretended to be in the Super Bowl, him the quarterback and you the wide receiver.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds