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
quarterbacked; quarterbacking; quarterbacks
1
: to direct the offensive play of
quarterback a football team
2
: to give executive direction to : boss
… quarterbacked the original buying syndicate.—
Time
Time
: 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
Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2025
However, the cold reality for Los Angeles is that Stafford's days as the franchise quarterback are numbered.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
Count Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck among those embracing the chilly weather.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quarterback
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Noun
After the final kneel-down was taken by quarterback Julian Sayin, the entire Ohio State team flocked to the south end zone, where many of the Buckeyes’ fans were.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2025
However, the cold reality for Los Angeles is that Stafford's days as the franchise quarterback are numbered.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Verb
And Denver was nearly bled to death in overtime, when cornerback Riley Moss was beat on a 38-yard ball from Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota to Deebo Samuel to set up a goal-line touchdown.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
Count Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck among those embracing the chilly weather.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quarterback
Cite this Entry
“Quarterback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarterback. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
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