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
Denver cut linebacker Dre Greenlaw to save cap room.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Former 49ers linebacker Gary Plummer graduated from Fremont’s Mission San Jose High in 1978 before going on to a 12-year NFL career that included a Super Bowl title with the 49ers in 1995.
—Jon Becker, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Hill is a rare athlete at linebacker with true range and matchup value.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Ex-Jets linebacker charged with first-degree murder allegedly consulted ChatGPT about cover-up – A former New York Jets linebacker who is currently facing first-degree murder charges allegedly turned to the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT to seek advice on how to cover up the crime.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
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Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Former 49ers linebacker Gary Plummer graduated from Fremont’s Mission San Jose High in 1978 before going on to a 12-year NFL career that included a Super Bowl title with the 49ers in 1995.
—Jon Becker, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Hill is a rare athlete at linebacker with true range and matchup value.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Ex-Jets linebacker charged with first-degree murder allegedly consulted ChatGPT about cover-up – A former New York Jets linebacker who is currently facing first-degree murder charges allegedly turned to the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT to seek advice on how to cover up the crime.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 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 17 Mar. 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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