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fullback

noun
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full·​back | \ ˈfu̇l-ˌbak How to pronounce fullback (audio) \

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)

Examples of fullback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That takes time for a back to understand the angles and patience required to run behind a fullback. — Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Bears Q&A: How likely is a tag-and-trade for Allen Robinson? Could Ryan Pace sign or draft a replacement for his best wide receiver? Is Mitch Trubisky still an option at QB?," 24 Feb. 2021 Allen throws like a Pro Bowl quarterback and runs like a fullback. — Childs Walker, baltimoresun.com, "Whom would the Ravens least want to see in the playoffs? A look at their four potential first-round opponents.," 31 Dec. 2020 Paul Hornung, a Heisman Trophy-winning fullback at Notre Dame in 1956 who helped the Packers win four NFL championships in a six-year span, died Nov. 13. — Joel Rippel, Star Tribune, "Sid Hartman, Kobe Bryant and so many more: the sporting lives we lost in 2020," 28 Dec. 2020 The son of long-time college football defensive coordinator Dave Wommack, Kane Wommack played tight end and fullback at Arkansas and Southern Miss. — Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, "Kane Wommack expected to be South Alabama’s next football coach," 12 Dec. 2020 Another offense might call that position a fullback or a non-Urban Meyer era H-back. — Nathan Baird, cleveland, "Ohio State football’s Jeremy Ruckert cut loose and finally feels like a complete tight end," 15 Nov. 2020 The Colts lined up Jordan Wilkins at fullback and Jonathan Taylor at tailback in the I-formation, putting their best two runners on the field at the same time with all three tight ends on the line. — Joel A. Erickson, The Indianapolis Star, "Insider: Why it's a good thing when Colts QB Philip Rivers takes sack, throws incompletion," 4 Nov. 2020 One play later, in a goal-line formation, Jackson faked a handoff to Edwards, lined up at fullback, before throwing a swing pass to Dobbins, who couldn’t bring it in. — Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, "Ravens film study: For a high-flying offense, two running backs can be double the fun," 30 Dec. 2020 Notice what faking to Nick Chubb from the fullback position does to the Titans defense. — Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, "When the Browns needed a play vs. the Titans, Kevin Stefanski made the perfect calls -- Film Review," 7 Dec. 2020

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.

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First Known Use of fullback

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Time Traveler for fullback Time Traveler

The first known use of fullback was in 1875

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Statistics for fullback

Last Updated

6 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Fullback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fullback. Accessed 9 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for fullback

fullback

noun
How to pronounce fullback (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of fullback

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

See the full definition for fullback in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fullback

noun
full·​back | \ ˈfu̇l-ˌbak How to pronounce fullback (audio) \

Kids Definition of fullback

1 : a football player who runs with the ball and blocks
2 : a player in games like soccer and field hockey who is usually positioned near the goal

More from Merriam-Webster on fullback

Britannica English: Translation of fullback for Arabic Speakers

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