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
Synonyms
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
Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
General manager Ryan Poles deserves credit for selling Johnson on the perks of coming to 1920 Football Drive in Lake Forest, which includes an opportunity to work with uber-talented 23-year-old quarterback Caleb Williams.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Antonio Morales, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
As with that opener, this wild-card game pits quarterbacks Jordan Love of the Packers and Jalen Hurts of the Eagles.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for quarterback 
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Noun
Regardless of the choice, the starting quarterback will have O'Connell back to lead them.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
General manager Ryan Poles deserves credit for selling Johnson on the perks of coming to 1920 Football Drive in Lake Forest, which includes an opportunity to work with uber-talented 23-year-old quarterback Caleb Williams.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
Of the 12 teams to make the Playoff, half are quarterbacked by transfers.
—Antonio Morales, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
As with that opener, this wild-card game pits quarterbacks Jordan Love of the Packers and Jalen Hurts of the Eagles.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for quarterback
Dictionary Entries Near quarterback
Cite this Entry
“Quarterback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarterback. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
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