linebacker

noun

line·back·er | \ ˈlīn-ˌba-kər

Definition of linebacker

: a defensive football player who lines up immediately behind the line of scrimmage to make tackles on running plays through the line or defend against short passes

Examples of linebacker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder will count on not just Dorian Etheridge but also P.J. Blue and C.J. Avery at linebacker. — Jake Lourim, The Courier-Journal, "U of L Insider: New stars must step up for Lamar Jackson-less Cards," 11 July 2018 Hunt is 6-foot-3½, 245 pounds and expected to be used at linebacker and running back for the Tigers this season. — Perry A. Farrell, Detroit Free Press, "Recruiting: Belleville football's Jalen Hunt enjoys Iowa's family feel," 11 July 2018 Slinkosky stepped up at linebacker on defense with one interception and 23 flag pulls. — Alex Kushel, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Broward flag football player of the year: Kimberly Slinkosky, Cooper City sophomore," 20 June 2018 Anthony took the vast majority of first-team snaps at outside linebacker during OTAs and minicamp, Dolphins defensive coordinator Matt Burke confirmed Wednesday. — Adam H. Beasley, miamiherald, "Dolphins' surprise starter at linebacker is from 2018 draft class. But he's no rookie," 7 June 2018 Byers started out at linebacker for UW but never played. — Jeff Potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "These Badgers walked away from football after concussions," 30 May 2018 Early in spring practice, Roy Ralston watched his son line up at middle linebacker against ASU’s first-team offense. — Doug Haller, azcentral, "ASU football: Nick Ralston, the perfect recruit and how a move to linebacker just might work," 18 May 2018 The Saints can actually claim a depth chart at linebacker. — Larry Holder, NOLA.com, "Saints finally stable at linebacker, but who plays where?," 15 May 2018 Most Popular What's good for Mathieu is probably good for the Texans, who are especially well-stocked at linebacker and signed former Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Aaron Colvin to bolster that position. — Aaron Wilson, Houston Chronicle, "Texans have very specific plan for Tyrann Mathieu," 14 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'linebacker.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.