quarterback

quarterback [kwawr-ter-bak] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for quarterback on Thesaurus.com noun

1. a back in football who usually lines up immediately behind the center and directs the offense of the team.
2. the position played by this back.
3. a person who leads or directs a group or activity.

verb (used with object)

4. to direct the offense of (a team).
5. to lead or direct: to quarterback a public-relations campaign.

verb (used without object)

6. to play the position of quarterback.

Origin of quarterback An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; quarter + back1 Related Words for quarterback adviser, instructor, expert, doctor, consultant, confidant, aide, director, tutor, mentor, lawyer, counselor, force, attend, get, manage, drive, see, show, head Examples from the Web for quarterback Contemporary Examples of quarterback

But that quiet approach has served the onetime UCLA quarterback, now 63, well through his lengthy acting career.

NCIS’s Mark Harmon Is the World’s Biggest TV Star

Jason Lynch

September 23, 2014

Or consider the case of Florida State quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston.

Hey NFL Fans: Ray Rice Isn’t the Problem. You Are.

Steve Almond

July 24, 2014

University of Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles—“WHO?”

Don’t Cry for Johnny Football. The NFL’s 22nd Pick Will Do Just Fine.

Ben Teitelbaum

May 9, 2014

Now, the Green Bay Packers quarterback is a Super Bowl champion, most valuable player, and State Farm Discount Double-Check guy.

Don’t Cry for Johnny Football. The NFL’s 22nd Pick Will Do Just Fine.

Ben Teitelbaum

May 9, 2014

Michael Vick The next couple seasons should be the last hurrah for the almost 34-year-old quarterback.

First Mega-Deal Is Done as the NFL’s Free Agent Scrap Begins

Ben Teitelbaum

March 12, 2014

Historical Examples of quarterback

Foss, the Ohio quarterback, was the individual star of the game.

Practical English Composition: Book II.

Edwin L. Miller

Roehm, the quarterback, was one of Hughitt’s understudies last season.

News Writing

M. Lyle Spencer

There came a punt and the Harvard quarterback raced down the field.

The Boy Grew Older

Heywood Broun

But he knew that was exactly what the Harvard quarterback intended to prevent.

The Jester of St. Timothy’s

Arthur Stanwood Pier

I said to the coach: ‘I think something has happened to our quarterback.’

Football Days

William H. Edwards

British Dictionary definitions for quarterback quarterback noun US and Canadian

1. a player in American or Canadian football, positioned usually behind the centre, who directs attacking play
2. Monday-morning quarterbacking wisdom after the event, esp by spectators

Word Origin and History for quarterback n.

in U.S. football, 1876, from quarter (n.) + back (n.); so called from his position on the field at the start of play, between the halfback and the center. As a verb from 1945. Figurative sense from 1952. Monday morning quarterback is 1932 (n.), 1972 (v.); originally pro football player slang for sportswriters (U.S. professional football games typically are played on Sundays).