linebacker
noun
line·back·er
ˈlīn-ˌba-kər 
plural linebackers
: a football player on the defending team who typically lines up behind the defensive linemen
They play tight defense in the secondary, and linebackers fill gaps on the run and are expected to defend the pass.—
Jerry McDonald
Jerry McDonaldToday, a blitzing linebacker is just as likely to get a sack because no one blocked him as he is on a great pass rush move.—Tim Green
Tim GreenExamples of linebacker in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As soon as the Giants acquired Burns, the veteran linebacker acquired a five-year contract, which is worth $141 million, with nearly $90 million guaranteed.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
This defense is built off the entire linebacker [unit].
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
Trevin Wallace Role: Starting inside linebacker Wallace got off to a bit of a slow start during his rookie year.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2025
Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai will miss next week’s mandatory minicamp with a left calf injury and should be sidelined until at least the start of training camp in late July, according to ESPN.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for linebacker
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Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
This defense is built off the entire linebacker [unit].
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
Trevin Wallace Role: Starting inside linebacker Wallace got off to a bit of a slow start during his rookie year.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2025
Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai will miss next week’s mandatory minicamp with a left calf injury and should be sidelined until at least the start of training camp in late July, according to ESPN.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for linebacker
Cite this Entry
“Linebacker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linebacker. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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linebacker
noun
line·back·er
ˈlīn-ˌbak-ər
: a football player on the defending team whose usual position is a short distance in back of the line of scrimmage
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