linebacker

[ lahyn-bak-er ]

noun

, Football.

1. a player on defense who takes a position close behind the linemen.
2. the position played by this player.

linebacker

/ ˈlaɪnˌbækə /

noun

1. a defensive player in American or Canadian football who is positioned just behind the line of scrimmage

Word History and Origins

Origin of linebacker¹

First recorded in 1960–65; line ¹ + backer

Example Sentences

He grew up in western Pennsylvania, started at linebacker at Pitt and had a seven-year NFL playing career.

From Washington Post

I was over 6 feet tall before my car accident, I was a middle linebacker in high school.

From Ozy

He reads the linebackers to determine what kind of leverage they would have on the route he is running.

From Washington Post

That confidence and boldness that is so evident when he’s out there playing — that confidence to catch the ball and the boldness to run over a linebacker.

From Washington Post

Before that, he cut his teeth at the college level, including stints with Brown — where the Massachusetts native had played as a defensive end and linebacker — Georgia Tech, Maryland and Duke.

From Washington Post

Dyson was tackled by St. Louis linebacker Mike Jones a couple of yards shy of the end zone.

From The Daily Beast

People are so eager to grab them that one man dives into the crowd like an NFL linebacker.

From The Daily Beast

For linebacker Ray Lewis, a fitting end to a storied career.

From The Daily Beast

Police say the NFL linebacker killed his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself.

From The Daily Beast

As his QB Wilson dashed up field, Tate blindsided Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee with a hit to the head.

From The Daily Beast