quarterback

1 of 2

noun

quar·​ter·​back ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌbak How to pronounce quarterback (audio)
Synonyms of quarterbacknext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
There’s hope that Achane can match those totals in 2026, especially with the additions of the aforementioned rookies as well as a dual threat quarterback in Malik Willis. Miami Herald, 29 May 2026 For the first time in a nearly two-decade career, Stafford is sharing a quarterback room with the player who will eventually take his spot. Nate Atkins, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Verb
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning’s private equity firm Brand Velocity Group is acquiring RCX Sports, the company that manages the licenses of the official youth sports programs of the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLS, NHL and MLB. Alex Sherman, CNBC, 4 June 2026 Before Brown's departure from the Eagles, rumors of a rift between him and quarterback Jalen Hurts began to swirl after Hurts was noticeably absent from Brown's wedding on May 18. Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for quarterback

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1892, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quarterback was in 1879

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Quarterback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarterback. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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

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