lineman

noun line·man \ ˈlīn-mən \

Definition of lineman

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

See lineman defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of lineman from the Web

Center Michael Montero, FIU’s most distinguished lineman, graduated.

— walter villa, miamiherald, "The 2017 FIU Panthers: Position by position," 29 Aug. 2017
Beaty also announced Monday that tight end Kenyon Tabor, offensive lineman Cam Durley and running back Denzell Evans would miss the season because of injuries.

— jesse newell, kansascity, "KU football’s top recruit Octavius Matthews out for career with undisclosed ailment," 28 Aug. 2017
How come there’s no 250-pound offensive linemen to block those small, quick pass rushers?

— gary gramling, SI.com, "Mailbag V: Was Romo Still a Top-10 QB? Who Has the Worst Uniforms," 28 Aug. 2017
The Aggies, who generally play a three-man front, must replace three linemen who started last season.

— jeff potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "UW's opponent at a glance: Utah State," 27 Aug. 2017
Motuga initially fumbled and a Dimond lineman recovered it, but likewise fumbled before Townsend secured the ball and weaved his way to the end zone.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Eagle River football starts fast, hangs on for 13-12 win over Dimond," 27 Aug. 2017
Defensive linemen Josh Krajacic and Matt Quinn, along with linebacker Mike Baumgardner, will lead the front seven.

— blake baumgartner, Naperville Sun, "Neuqua's Ryan Wheeler aims to duplicate baseball success in football," 22 Aug. 2017
The two are team leaders, along with lineman Ryan Bernstein, linebacker William Bauman, linebacker Virgil Cannon and tight end/linebacker Zach Carter.

— lamond pope, Lake County News-Sun, "Countdown to football: Grayslake North ranked No. 5 in preseason," 20 Aug. 2017
Sophomore tackle Jamal Milan figures to step up after making five starts last year, and some of the seven freshman defensive linemen could see action, including tackle Kendrick Green and ends Owen Carney and Bobby Roundtree.

— teddy greenstein, chicagotribune.com, "Big Ten preview: West Division teams at a glance," 18 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lineman.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of lineman

1876

LINEMAN Defined for English Language Learners

lineman

noun

Definition of lineman for English Language Learners

American football : a player whose position is on the line of scrimmage
: a person whose job is to set up and repair power lines or telephone lines

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up lineman? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

lineman

Definition of lineman

Recent Examples of lineman from the Web

First Known Use of lineman

LINEMAN Defined for English Language Learners

lineman

Definition of lineman for English Language Learners

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

burke

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

I'll Have the Us(ual)

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

True or False?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066

lineman

Definition of lineman

Explore Merriam-Webster

Recent Examples of lineman from the Web

First Known Use of lineman

LINEMAN Defined for English Language Learners

lineman

Definition of lineman for English Language Learners

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066