linebacker
noun
line·back·er
ˈlīn-ˌba-kər 
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
Jerry McDonaldToday, 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
Tim GreenExamples of linebacker in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Purdy-McCaffrey combo showed up best a few snaps before Kittle’s touchdown: McCaffrey raced down the right sideline past linebacker Lavonte David and caught a 30-yard prayer from Purdy, who unloaded that pass just before getting drilled in the chest by William Gholston.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Junior linebacker Jared Ibarra and senior safety Emmanuel El Shaddai Hill highlight a defense capable of stifling top attacks.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024
Then there is linebacker Micah Parsons, who remains on speed dial for the Cowboys to receive a contract similar to that of Prescott to become the wealthiest non-quarterback in NFL history.
—Terence Moore, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Advertisement Nacua was ejected from the game in the second quarter, however, for punching Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson after cornerback Riq Woolen intercepted a pass.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for linebacker 
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.
Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Junior linebacker Jared Ibarra and senior safety Emmanuel El Shaddai Hill highlight a defense capable of stifling top attacks.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024
Then there is linebacker Micah Parsons, who remains on speed dial for the Cowboys to receive a contract similar to that of Prescott to become the wealthiest non-quarterback in NFL history.
—Terence Moore, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Advertisement Nacua was ejected from the game in the second quarter, however, for punching Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson after cornerback Riq Woolen intercepted a pass.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for linebacker
Dictionary Entries Near linebacker
Cite this Entry
“Linebacker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linebacker. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
linebacker
noun
line·back·er
ˈlīn-ˌbak-ər
: a football player on the defending team whose usual position is a short distance in back of the line of scrimmage
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share