noun
quarterback
KWAW-tuhbak
noun
1
In American football, the player who leads the offense and typically throws or hands off the ball at the start of each play.
"The quarterback threw a perfect pass for the touchdown."
"He's been the starting quarterback since his sophomore year."
verb
1
To lead or direct a team or project.
"She quarterbacked the entire product launch."
"He was brought in to quarterback the merger negotiations."
How to Use Quarterback
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe player who calls and runs the plays in football; more loosely, anyone directing a team effort.
Common pairings
starting quarterback
backup quarterback
quarterback a project
Word Forms
quarterbacked past tense, quarterbacks plural, quarterbacks singular
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The _____ threw a perfect pass for the touchdown.
Etymology
From quarter + back, naming the position's spot on the field just behind the line.