fullback

noun full·back \ ˈfu̇l-ˌbak \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of fullback

1 : an offensive football back used primarily for line plunges and blocking

2 : a primarily defensive player usually stationed nearest the defended goal (as in soccer or field hockey)

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Recent Examples of fullback from the Web

The only other scholarship running back is Trey Smith, though fullback Tobias Little can also earn carries out of the backfield.

— jake lourim, The Courier-Journal, "Should Louisville football be worried? RB position thin with potential Dae Williams injury," 4 Apr. 2018
Not in today’s game, either, where a center is becoming as relevant as a football fullback.

— dave hyde, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hyde: Whiteside makes nice - but nothing has changed | Commentary," 2 Apr. 2018
Thompson, 6-2, 232, played on both sides of the ball at Yuma Cibola High School and as a fullback at Northern Arizona in 2015 before switching to defense in junior college.

— jeff metcalfe, azcentral, "Jalen Bates finally in 'perfect situation' to excel on ASU's defensive line," 29 Mar. 2018
McManis has made 80 tackles on special teams since former general manager Phil Emery acquired him from the Texans in a 2012 trade for fullback Tyler Clutts.

— brad biggs, chicagotribune.com, "Special teams ace Sherrick McManis agrees to 2-year deal to return to Bears," 22 Mar. 2018
Check fullback off the Dallas Cowboys’ list of needs and also finally check them as present on the list of off-season acquisitions.

— clarence e. hill jr., star-telegram, "Cowboys fill hole at fullback with trade with Raiders for veteran Jamize Olawale | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 20 Mar. 2018
Gaining Pittsburgh’s fourth round choice, Green Bay picked fullback Brendan McCarthy of Boston College.

— bud lea, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Jan. 30, 1968: Fred Carr is surprise pick by Packers," 20 Feb. 2018
Round 6, pick 192: Alex Armah (fullback) Remember the surprise when Armah was drafted?

— jourdan rodrigue, charlotteobserver, "Carolina Panthers | How did 2017 draft class pan out? | Charlotte Observer," 17 Jan. 2018
As Thomas moved toward the middle of the field, Sendejo ran his direction to go cover fullback Zach Line near the boundary.

— michael democker, NOLA.com, "Saints Marshon Lattimore on the Vikings' game-winning touchdown: video," 15 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fullback.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of fullback

1875

FULLBACK Defined for English Language Learners

fullback

noun

Definition of fullback for English Language Learners

American football : a player on offense who lines up behind the line of scrimmage and who runs with the ball and blocks
: a defensive player in games like soccer and field hockey who is usually positioned near the goal