linebacker

noun

line·​back·​er ˈlīn-ˌba-kər How to pronounce linebacker (audio)
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
Today, 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

Examples of linebacker in a Sentence

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.
The tampering allegation in question centers on Luke Ferrelli, a linebacker who transferred from Cal to Clemson in the offseason. — Matt Baker, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The Commanders linebacker is the son of a Super Bowl winner and the brother of a fellow NFL rookie. — Tashan Reed, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026 Defensive backs Boogsie Silvera and Amari Wallace combined for 17 stops, and linebacker Tim Thomas had six tackles. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026 But there were cheers for Chiefs center Jack Rudnay and linebacker Willie Lanier. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for linebacker

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of linebacker was in 1931

Rhymes for linebacker

See All Rhymes for linebacker

Browse Nearby Words

lineback
linebacker
linebacking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Linebacker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linebacker. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

linebacker

noun
line·​back·​er ˈlīn-ˌbak-ər How to pronounce linebacker (audio)
: a football player on the defending team whose usual position is a short distance in back of the line of scrimmage

More from Merriam-Webster on linebacker

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about linebacker

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All