quar·ter·back
ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌbak 
1
: an offensive back in football who usually lines up behind the center, calls the signals, and directs the offensive play of the team
2
: one who directs and leads
quarterbacked; quarterbacking; quarterbacks
1
: to direct the offensive play of
quarterback a football team
2
: to give executive direction to : boss
quarterbacked the original buying syndicate—
Time
Time
: to play quarterback
Examples of quarterback in a Sentence
Verb
He quarterbacked his high school team.
She quarterbacked the company's latest ad campaign.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
The Dolphins’ quarterback room shouldn’t be done here.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025
Tim Graham, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Tom Brady, who will be calling the 6:30 ET game for FOX, quarterbacked six for the Patriots and one for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
—Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quarterback
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.
Noun
Follow every signing and trade with The Athletic’s live coverage of 2025 NFL free agency
A month ago, the Kansas City Chiefs’ second era with quarterback Patrick Mahomes ended.
—Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
The Dolphins’ quarterback room shouldn’t be done here.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
In 2008, Cassel quarterbacked the Patriots to an 11-5 record when Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener.
—Tim Graham, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Tom Brady, who will be calling the 6:30 ET game for FOX, quarterbacked six for the Patriots and one for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
—Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quarterback
Cite this Entry
“Quarterback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarterback. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share