quarterback

1 of 2

noun

quar·​ter·​back ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌbak How to pronounce quarterback (audio)
Synonyms of quarterbacknext
1
: an offensive back in football who usually lines up behind the center, calls the signals, and directs the offensive play of the team
2
: one who directs and leads

quarterback

2 of 2

verb

quarterbacked; quarterbacking; quarterbacks

transitive verb

1
: to direct the offensive play of
quarterback a football team
2
: to give executive direction to : boss
quarterbacked the original buying syndicate.Time

intransitive verb

: to play quarterback

Examples of quarterback in a Sentence

Verb He quarterbacked his high school team. She quarterbacked the company's latest ad campaign.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The quarterback also gifted them a Full Swing KIT, an indoor golf practice kit that analyze swings and takes replay videos that can be viewed from an app, which retail for around $4,000. Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025 Redshirt freshman quarterback Wyatt Bower scored five touchdowns — three rushing and two passing — to lead the Bulldogs (16-0) to the victory. Arkansas Online, 21 Dec. 2025
Verb
Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was banged up but still managed to finish with three touchdowns in the win – two rushing scores and one passing touchdown. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025 Lindsey Vonn won a World Cup race after coming out of retirement at 41, only to be topped in terms of sensational headlines by 44-year-old Philip Rivers serving as the Indianapolis Colts quarterback nearly five years after taking his last NFL snap. Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 21 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quarterback

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1892, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quarterback was in 1879

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Cite this Entry

“Quarterback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarterback. Accessed 23 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

quarterback

noun
quar·​ter·​back
ˈkwȯ(r)t-ər-ˌbak
: an offensive football back who calls the signals and directs the offensive play of the team
quarterback verb

More from Merriam-Webster on quarterback

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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