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
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Among players who have logged at least 50 defensive snaps, PFF gives the worst grade to linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, edging out linebacker Mohamed Toure and cornerback Xavier Lucas.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis and linebacker Drue Tranquill were on hand, too.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Running back Fred Taylor, wide receivers Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne and outside linebacker James Harrison, all of whom played briefly with the Patriots but spent the majority of their careers elsewhere, also are among those 52 players.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Gophers linebacker Devon Williams met a family effected by the shooting and gathered players for a picture.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
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Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis and linebacker Drue Tranquill were on hand, too.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Running back Fred Taylor, wide receivers Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne and outside linebacker James Harrison, all of whom played briefly with the Patriots but spent the majority of their careers elsewhere, also are among those 52 players.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Gophers linebacker Devon Williams met a family effected by the shooting and gathered players for a picture.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for linebacker
Cite this Entry
“Linebacker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linebacker. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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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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