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

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

Atlanta drafted Penix with the eighth overall pick, and the Vikings had selected Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick. —Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025

The heat is squarely on quarterback J.J. McCarthy as the Minnesota Vikings get set to open training camp July 22. —Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Verb

But armchair quarterbacking their decisions is, of course, a crucial component of Alone fandom. —Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 27 June 2025

Perhaps his most attractive attribute is the ability to effectively handle the puck and quarterback a power play. —Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

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