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

Toney also caught a touchdown pass in that Super Bowll from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, one of four Toney scores had in 23 games with the Chiefs (regular season and playoffs). — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Right now, all eyes are on the Minnesota Vikings quarterback competition. — Ren Clayton, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Verb

That includes Reid, general manager Brett Veach and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Plus, the Prospect Series crew took a way-too-early look at Canada and US World Cup of Hockey rosters, including an epic debate about whether Quinn Hughes or Lane Hutson is Team USA’s best option to quarterback their first power-play unit. — Max Bultman, New York Times, 30 July 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