halfback

noun

half·​back ˈhaf-ˌbak 

ˈhäf-

1

: one of the backs stationed near either flank in football

2

: a player stationed immediately behind the forward line (as in field hockey, soccer, or rugby)

Examples of halfback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With the game on the line, the Eagles tried some trickery with a halfback pass by Parent. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

Meanwhile, on the inactive list for Cincinnati are cornerback Marco Wilson, halfback Samaje Perine, wide receiver Jermaine Burton, tight end Cam Grandy, and defensive end Trey Hendrickson. —Mike Darnay, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2025

Dick Cheney played halfback on the school's football team and served as senior class president, while Lynne, born Lynne Anne Vincent, was the school's head baton twirler. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025

Trailing 7-0, McCaffrey threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Aiyuk on a halfback option — the second of his career, having thrown a 50-yard score for Carolina in 2018. —Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 2 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for halfback

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

Kids Definition

halfback

noun

half·​back ˈhaf-ˌbak 

ˈhȧf-

1

: a football back who lines up toward the right or left side of the formation

2

: a player positioned behind the forward line in some games (as soccer or field hockey)