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

Today, 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

Examples of linebacker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alabama is looking to add at several positions, including at wide receiver, on the offensive and defensive lines and at linebacker. —Kennington Smith Iii, The Athletic, 18 Dec. 2024

Campbell was further demoted behind Winters as the No. 3 strongside linebacker. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 17 Dec. 2024

Upon hearing the news that Campbell wouldn't enter the game, general manager John Lynch confronted the linebacker and sent him to the locker room in the fourth quarter of last week's divisional matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, who played for the Ravens from 2020 through 2023, expects Baltimore fans to boo him Saturday. —Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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