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
In the first five starts of his career, the redshirt junior linebacker has led the Bruins with double-digits tackles each game.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
The Commanders linebacker exploded off the snap, racing around rookie left tackle Kiran Amegadjie and fighting through Bears running back Roschon Johnson to get to Williams.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2024
With Stefon Diggs Out for the Season The Packers have signed former first-round pick linebacker Jamin Davis, who most recently played for the Washington Commanders.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Colin Allred was a linebacker in the NFL for five seasons.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for linebacker 
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Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
The Commanders linebacker exploded off the snap, racing around rookie left tackle Kiran Amegadjie and fighting through Bears running back Roschon Johnson to get to Williams.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2024
With Stefon Diggs Out for the Season The Packers have signed former first-round pick linebacker Jamin Davis, who most recently played for the Washington Commanders.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Colin Allred was a linebacker in the NFL for five seasons.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 29 Oct. 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 8 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
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