1
: one who sets up or repairs electric wire communication or power lines
called also linesman
2
: a player in the forward line of a team
specifically
: a football player in the line
Examples of lineman in a Sentence
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Last season, to get an extra boost in the running game, the Bills would sub in reserve offensive lineman Alec Anderson for a skill position player.
—
Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
That play ended in a sack for defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, as Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert had to step up directly into interior pressure.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Young finished with only one sack for 11 yards, and that one was less a product of miscommunication and more of Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams beating left guard Damien Lewis, who otherwise had a solid day.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Strange was Miami’s best run blocking offensive lineman on Monday, per PFF.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lineman
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Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
That play ended in a sack for defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, as Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert had to step up directly into interior pressure.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Young finished with only one sack for 11 yards, and that one was less a product of miscommunication and more of Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams beating left guard Damien Lewis, who otherwise had a solid day.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Strange was Miami’s best run blocking offensive lineman on Monday, per PFF.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lineman
Cite this Entry
“Lineman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lineman. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lineman
noun
line·man
ˈlīn-mən 
1
: one who sets up or repairs power or telephone lines
2
: a football player whose position is on the line of scrimmage
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