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

Matthew Stafford leading a late comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles was vintage Stafford, but his struggles with interceptions has the Rams quarterback looking to improve. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis called the Week 4 loss a backward step. — Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026

Verb

Can quarterback Gunner Stockton beat Alabama through the air? — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026

The foul occurred when the Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones was called for defensive holding on a third-and-goal play from the 16-yard line, on which Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s pass to wide receiver DJ Moore fell incomplete. — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 4 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