quarterback

1 of 2

noun

quar·​ter·​back ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌbak How to pronounce quarterback (audio)
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 syndicateTime

intransitive verb

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Washington Commanders will have to play without young star quarterback Jayden Daniels during their Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025 One-two punch at running back a knockout For all the attention on quarterback CJ Carr, Notre Dame’s two most talented players on offense don’t throw the football. Pete Sampson, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
The only downside was an injury to quarterback Behren Morton. Erick Smith, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025 However, Graziano also noted both rookie quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel will continue to be brought up in trade discussions until the deadline passes a little more than six weeks from now. Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quarterback

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1892, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quarterback was in 1879

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Quarterback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarterback. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on quarterback

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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