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

Today, 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

Examples of linebacker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

McDuffie then took on a far greater role in 2023 when injuries hit the linebacker position. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Alex Whittingham, Michigan’s new linebackers coach, reached out to Port’s father, Barry, to express interest. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Rookie linebacker Kyle Louis was the only college football player in 2024 to produce 90-plus tackles, 15 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and four interceptions. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

After retiring, the linebacker underwent a surprising makeover, receiving 5,300 grafts of hair in a transplant facilitated by Restore. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for linebacker

• firecracker
• acker
• backer
• blacker
• cracker
• hacker
• lacquer
• packer
• slacker
• stacker
• thacker
• tracker

Kids 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