playmaker

noun

play·​mak·​er ˈplā-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce playmaker (audio)
: a player who leads the offense for a team (as in basketball or hockey)
playmaking
ˈplā-ˌmā-kiŋ How to pronounce playmaker (audio)
noun or adjective

Examples of playmaker 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.
With opposing defenses likely to devote more attention to Anderson, Kohl emphasized the importance of getting other playmakers involved. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 Liberty was clinging to that pledge, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound do-everything playmaker flipped his commitment to Georgia this weekend. — Jeff Sentell, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026 The Eagles are in jeopardy of having several other playmakers sidelined on Sunday beyond Hurts, too. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 Mitchell offers a little bit more defensively, while Plum is the better playmaker. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for playmaker

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of playmaker was in 1931

Rhymes for playmaker

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Browse Nearby Words

play make-believe
playmaker
playmate
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Cite this Entry

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

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