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

Rozeboom was an adequate starting inside linebacker last year. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026

Running back Darius Taylor and linebacker Matt Kingsbury had them on earlier in the week. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026

The Pats need a young edge rusher, cornerback and linebacker or safety to enter their positional rotations. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026

The Colorado native and Valor Christian alumnus emerged as a starting-level inside linebacker in 2025, and Denver is in need of more linebacker depth after cutting Greenlaw. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 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