linebacker
noun
line·back·er
ˈlīn-ˌba-kər 
plural linebackers
: a football player on the defending team who typically lines up behind the defensive linemen
They play tight defense in the secondary, and linebackers fill gaps on the run and are expected to defend the pass.—
Jerry McDonald
Jerry McDonaldToday, a blitzing linebacker is just as likely to get a sack because no one blocked him as he is on a great pass rush move.—Tim Green
Tim GreenExamples of linebacker in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The first serious legal challenge to the House settlement will come courtesy of a USC freshman linebacker.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Mango, meanwhile, has continued to make his art in the basement, most recently the portrait of an NFL linebacker, Dick Butkus.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 10 June 2026
His 153 games are matched by Pro Football Hall of Famer Dave Wilcox for second-most by a 49ers linebacker behind Matt Hazeltine.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
On defense, rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane, defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott and rookie linebacker Wesley Bissainthe watched practice without helmets.
—Pete Sweeney
june 10, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for linebacker
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Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Mango, meanwhile, has continued to make his art in the basement, most recently the portrait of an NFL linebacker, Dick Butkus.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 10 June 2026
His 153 games are matched by Pro Football Hall of Famer Dave Wilcox for second-most by a 49ers linebacker behind Matt Hazeltine.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
On defense, rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane, defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott and rookie linebacker Wesley Bissainthe watched practice without helmets.
—Pete Sweeney
june 10, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for linebacker
Cite this Entry
“Linebacker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linebacker. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
linebacker
noun
line·back·er
ˈlīn-ˌbak-ər
: a football player on the defending team whose usual position is a short distance in back of the line of scrimmage
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