quarterback

1 of 2

noun

quar·​ter·​back ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌbak How to pronounce quarterback (audio)
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 syndicateTime

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
Noun
In an adorable video shared by Ciara via Instagram Stories on Wednesday (March 13), the quarterback focuses hard on balancing a capsule of the singer’s breast milk delicately in his hands while on a bumpy car ride. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 Every quarterback wants a weapon like Samuel, but Purdy — unlike his predecessor, Jimmy Garoppolo — doesn’t need him. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Lewis was coy last week when he was asked which quarterback would run the first play. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 On Thursday, the quarterback's wife Brittany Mahomes shared a sweet video of their 15-month-old son clutching on to a football during their family vacation. Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Mahomes brother, Patrick, is the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, with two Super Bowl wins under his belt. Jennifer Henderson, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Lance was the third quarterback for the Cowboys for much of the 2023 season and saw no game action. Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2024 But their relationship imploded shortly after the legendary quarterback began flip-flopping on his retirement plans. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Outside figuring on the contract status of quarterback Dak Prescott, what the team plans to do at left tackle has become the biggest decision of the offseason. Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Mar. 2024
Verb
Darnold wasn’t needed as an emergency starter as Purdy quarterbacked the 49ers to the NFC West title, the NFC’s No. 1 seed, a pair of playoff comebacks en route to the NFC crown, and, eventually, an overtime loss in the Super Bowl. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 Alex Smith, who quarterbacked Utah to national prominence two decades ago, is among the 22-member College Football Hall of Fame class announced Monday by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2024 The Chiefs, quarterbacked by Mahomes and coached by Andy Reid, could take the baton from Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, and redefine the 21st century of football. Sean Gregory, TIME, 12 Feb. 2024 Brady won the 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019 Super Bowls quarterbacking the New England Patriots, and the 2021 Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2024 As far the Senior Bowl is concerned, the Cowboys have a plethora of needs to explore, including offensive tackle, linebacker, running back, defensive tackle, cornerback and possibly quarterback. Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2024 Kelce didn't like the fact that Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was practicing in a spot that Kelce felt belonged to quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mike Freeman, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024 And then there's the 12th-rounder Daryle Lamonica, who never suited up for the Packers but did twice win AFL Offensive Player of the Year while quarterbacking the Oakland Raiders, part of five Pro Bowl seasons. Journal Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2024 The Texas team Washington beat Monday night was also quarterbacked by a fellow transfer. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quarterback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near quarterback

Cite this Entry

“Quarterback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarterback. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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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