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

Ulbrich, who had a decadelong playing career as a linebacker, joined the team when Toney was 10 years old and retired the year after Toney graduated from high school. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 9 July 2026

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton was named to the class in a surprise announcement more than a week ago. — Pj Green july 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

The Panthers in question are former coach Ron Rivera, who is the team’s winningest head coach of all time, and Luke Kuechly, the dazzling linebacker who will be inducted into the NFL’s hall of fame himself in one month. — Scott Fowler july 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026

Wilson was an All-Big 12 offensive lineman, while Roberts, a Haslet Eaton product, was an All-Big 12 linebacker. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 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