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

Drake Maye returns home New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who grew up about 20 minutes north of the Spectrum Center in Huntersville, sat courtside along with his wife. —CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

Former Texas quarterback and 13-year NFL veteran Colt McCoy will deliver the keynote address at the University of Texas’ 143rd commencement ceremony, the school announced Friday. —Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026

Verb

Now with wide receiver Mike Evans gone and a playmaker needed, adding Sadiq gives that explosion factor back to quarterback Baker Mayfield. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2026

Patullo was fired days later, and the Eagles hired ex-Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion to take over the role. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 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