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
Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
In 60 minutes Friday night, Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck went from Heisman Hopeful to a man trying to salvage his final season of college football.
—Susan Miller Degnan, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Noah White, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Baker quarterback Truman Juelsgaard (Lawrence High) passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quarterback
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Noun
The Steelers' defense was absolutely shredded by 40-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals' offense on Thursday night, surrendering 470 total yards in the 33-31 loss.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
In 60 minutes Friday night, Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck went from Heisman Hopeful to a man trying to salvage his final season of college football.
—Susan Miller Degnan, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
Brown ended with more than 100 yards despite the loss, and Toney, who made the transition to quarterback late in the season after an injury to his team’s starter, tallied two touchdowns.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Baker quarterback Truman Juelsgaard (Lawrence High) passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2025.
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