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
Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Post-draft outlook The 2024 draft for the Broncos was all about pulling the brakes on the organization’s dizzying quarterback carousel.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Chandelis Duster, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025
That was enough for Paul Brown (the Buckeyes coach in 1941 and 1943) to offer Graham a contract to quarterback the Cleveland Browns beginning in 1946.
—Mark Podolski, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quarterback
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Noun
Given the overlap between spring practice and the transfer portal, the Bruins are missing at least a handful of players — including starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava — expected to be significant contributors next season.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Post-draft outlook The 2024 draft for the Broncos was all about pulling the brakes on the organization’s dizzying quarterback carousel.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
The 23-year-old, who quarterbacked under his father at University of Colorado, had been expected to be drafted during the first round.
—Chandelis Duster, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025
That was enough for Paul Brown (the Buckeyes coach in 1941 and 1943) to offer Graham a contract to quarterback the Cleveland Browns beginning in 1946.
—Mark Podolski, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quarterback
Cite this Entry
“Quarterback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarterback. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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