lineman

noun

line·​man ˈlīn-mən How to pronounce lineman (audio)
1
: one who sets up or repairs electric wire communication or power lines

called also linesman

2
: a player in the forward line of a team
specifically : a football player in the line

Examples of lineman 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.
But interior linemen such as guards Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila have remained physically sound. — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Auburn also listed offensive lineman Tai Buster as being out, along with tight end Hunter Herring. — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Hopefully, Miami can begin to reap the benefits from the lumps that the trio of defensive linemen — Grant, Phillips and Biggers — received during their up-and-down rookie campaigns in 2025. — Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 About 450,000 residences and businesses were without power after the initial surge from Isaias, and 16,000 linemen have helped to reconnect them. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lineman

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lineman was in 1876

Rhymes for lineman

See All Rhymes for lineman

Browse Nearby Words

line loss
lineman
lineman's loopknot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lineman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lineman. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lineman

noun
line·​man ˈlīn-mən How to pronounce lineman (audio)
1
: one who sets up or repairs power or telephone lines
2
: a football player whose position is on the line of scrimmage
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