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

After a fourth-and-1 stop by the defense, quarterback Bryce Young and the Panthers offense jogged back onto the field with one minute left in the contest on their own 17 yard-line. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2026

After three years together, Christen and Jared got engaged after the quarterback popped the question during a vacation to Cabo in June 2022. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026

Verb

While giving up three short rushing touchdowns against the 49ers — two to running back Christian McCaffrey and another to quarterback Brock Purdy — the Dolphins made a considerable improvement in run defense from the first to the second game. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Tigers quarterback Austin Simmons experienced the environment during his three years at Ole Miss. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 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