quarterback

1 of 2

noun

quar·​ter·​back ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌbak 

1

: an offensive back in football who usually lines up behind the center, calls the signals, and directs the offensive play of the team

2

: one who directs and leads

quarterback

2 of 2

verb

quarterbacked; quarterbacking; quarterbacks

transitive verb

1

: to direct the offensive play of

quarterback a football team

2

: to give executive direction to : boss

… quarterbacked the original buying syndicate.

—Time

intransitive verb

: to play quarterback

Synonyms of quarterback

Verb

• supervise
• handle
• oversee
• command
• manage
• boss
• watch over

Examples of quarterback in a Sentence

Verb

He quarterbacked his high school team.

She quarterbacked the company's latest ad campaign.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And yet, Kansas City will be a narrow underdog in this matchup against defending Super Bowl champion Seattle, albeit a Seahawks squad that is just 3-3 with a quarterback struggling to find his form. — Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026

Former Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco relieved Burrow late, closing out the Ravens' fifth loss in their past six home games. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Verb

Sirianni added that Barkley's presence would pose a greater threat to defenses and help quarterback Tanner McKee. — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

In this video, the players are awash in red light and quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce pace nervously. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1892, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing quarterback

• Monday-morning quarterback
• quarterback sneak

Rhymes for quarterback

• almanac
• camelback
• cardiac
• carryback
• cluniac
• diamondback
• lumberjack
• maniac
• paperback
• piggyback
• saddleback
• stickleback

Kids Definition

quarterback

noun

quar·​ter·​back

ˈkwȯ(r)t-ər-ˌbak

: an offensive football back who calls the signals and directs the offensive play of the team

quarterback verb