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
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
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
The Eagles moved on from Kevin Patullo and hired Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion as offensive coordinator to bring fresh ideas to an offense that fizzled out in the 2025 season.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for quarterback
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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
With nonbinding commitments from Wright (10), quarterback Israel Abrams (14) and Lennear (16), UM’s 2027 class has 19% of the nation’s top 16 prospects.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
The Eagles moved on from Kevin Patullo and hired Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion as offensive coordinator to bring fresh ideas to an offense that fizzled out in the 2025 season.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for quarterback
Cite this Entry
“Quarterback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarterback. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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