fullback

noun

full·​back ˈfu̇l-ˌbak 

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

The Patriots have Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper and fullback Jack Westover available at tight end. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026

Those 146 rushing yards are the second-most for a Colts player in his NFL debut, trailing only Hall of Fame fullback Alan Ameche (194 in 1955). —C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026

Last year, former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore increased the offense’s under-center usage (and rostered a fullback) to advance the run game. —Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026

VanSumeren is the younger brother of current Philadelphia Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren and missed the 2023 season due to injury. —Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for fullback

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

Kids Definition

fullback

noun

full·​back ˈfu̇l-ˌbak 

1

: a football back who usually lines up between the halfbacks

2

: a mainly defensive player (as in soccer or field hockey) who usually plays near the goal to be defended