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

Kickers, defensive linemen and linebackers arrive Sunday before five days of activities; Monday will be tight ends and defensive backs arrivals; day three quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs; offensive linemen arrive Wednesday and will be the last to leave March 2. —Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026

Defensive lineman Mattheus Kaminski Cordeiro of West Orange, linebackers Jelani Bentley of Tavares and Troy Turner of Lake Mary, defensive backs Garrison Lubin of Lake Minneola and Malcom Jones of Ocoee, and offensive lineman Fenway Cochrane of East Ridge all earned Saturday MVP nods. —Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026

Akheem Mesidor and linebacker Wesley Bissainthe — will be on a different training timeline. —David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026

The text came from Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 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