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

Here’s my piece on quarterback Malik Willis and how he should be judged after four games. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

The Tigers called a trick play where quarterback Tate Reynolds feinted looking to the sideline for a playcall and the center snapped the ball to running back Gideon Davidson. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2026

Verb

Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis threw a 1-yard pass to wide receiver Malik Washington. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

That extends to the special teams as well, where each of them quarterbacks one of the team's two power-play units. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 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