quarterback

noun

quar·ter·back | \ ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌbak

Definition of quarterback

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

verb

quarterbacked; quarterbacking; quarterbacks

Definition of quarterback (Entry 2 of 2)

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 More Example Sentences Learn More about quarterback

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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

Four quarterbacks now average more than $30 million a year. — Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, "Team-friendly deal? Dak Prescott explains why Cowboys shouldn’t need to go that way," 11 July 2019 Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes won best NFL player; Milwaukee Brewers slugger Christian Yelich earned best MLB player; and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals won best NHL player. — Washington Post, "Alex Morgan, US women’s soccer team honored at The ESPYS," 11 July 2019 Two other transfers — graduate senior offensive lineman Jacob Capra (Oregon) and junior quarterback Jordon Brookshire (Laney CC) — enrolled last semester and participated in spring drills. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Aztecs officially add two San Diegans among several football transfers," 11 July 2019 Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes won best NFL player; Milwaukee Brewers slugger Christian Yelich earned best MLB player; and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals won best NHL player. — Beth Harris, Houston Chronicle, "Alex Morgan, US women's soccer team honored at The ESPYS," 11 July 2019 There’s also the fact that second-year quarterbacks tend to improve more than 37-year-olds do. — Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, "AFC North position rankings: Browns offense brimming with talent, but Ravens have made gains," 10 July 2019 The hype surrounding Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert is in full swing. — oregonlive.com, "Mario Cristobal: Justin Herbert ‘definitely the best (QB) I’ve been around'," 10 July 2019 Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes won best NFL player; Milwaukee Brewers slugger Christian Yelich earned best MLB player; and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals won best NHL player. — Beth Harris, BostonGlobe.com, "Bill Russell, US women’s soccer team honored at The ESPYS," 10 July 2019 Former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts is already making his presence felt in the Big 12. — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al.com, "Big 12 names former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts newcomer of the year," 10 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

He was often seen in the company of players, most notably quarterback John Elway, who played all but one of his 16 seasons under Mr. Bowlen. — Ken Belson, New York Times, "Pat Bowlen, Influential Owner of the Denver Broncos, Dies at 75," 14 June 2019 But a season-ending injury to quarterback Jon Wassink led to a three-game losing streak that denied the program a chance at a return to the MAC Championship Game for the first time since 2016. — Matt Murschel, orlandosentinel.com, "2019 College Football Rankings: No. 64 Western Michigan," 22 June 2019 But McCarron is preparing for the 2019 season with his role already determined -- backup to quarterback Deshaun Watson for the Houston Texans. — Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al.com, "AJ McCarron enjoying every day with Houston Texans," 12 June 2019 On Saturday morning, McMahon and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky joined forces for a panel on quarterbacking the Bears. — Kalyn Kahler, SI.com, "The Bears at 100: Cheers and a Few Tears," 11 June 2019 Marlin Briscoe was the first, quarterbacking the AFL Denver Broncos for a few games in 1968. — Will Higgins, Indianapolis Star, "These Indy football players kept their helmets on so fans couldn’t see they were black," 9 Jan. 2018 No matter which quarterback the Browns draft, Tyrod Taylor will be the better option the next day. — Dennis Manoloff, cleveland.com, "NFL Draft 2018: Analyst Dane Brugler chats with DMan's World (photos)," 23 Apr. 2018 This notion that a team quarterbacked by Keenum cannot possibly walk into a hostile environment and walk out with a win is a sentiment born of delusion. — David Murphy, Philly.com, "For Eagles fans, now is no time to underestimate the Vikings | David Murphy," 18 Jan. 2018 And so now — get this — next Sunday’s conference championship games will be quarterbacked by legends Keenum, Foles, Bortles and some has-been named Brady? — Nick Canepa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "No great NFL teams but some great contests," 14 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quarterback.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.