lineman

[ lahyn-muhn ]

noun

, plural line·men.

1. Also a person who installs or repairs telephone, telegraph, or other wires.
2. Football. one of the players in the line, as a center, guard, tackle, or end.
3. Surveying. a person who marks the positions of a survey mark with a range pole or the like.

lineman

/ ˈlaɪnmən /

noun

1. another name for platelayer
2. a person who does the chaining, taping, or marking of points for a surveyor
3. (formerly) the member of a beach life-saving team who controlled the line used to help drowning swimmers and surfers
4. American football a member of the row of players who start each down positioned on either side of the line of scrimmage
5. another word for linesman

Gender Note

See -man.

Other Words From

• under·lineman noun plural underlinemen

Word History and Origins

Origin of lineman¹

First recorded in 1855–60; line ¹ + -man

Example Sentences

With former Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald looking on from a luxury box, edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young and tackle Kobie Turner each sacked Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

From Los Angeles Times

A smart Rams culture that rarely makes dumb mistakes committed six penalties for 64 yards, including an illegal procedure by lineman Beaux Limmer that cost them a field goal.

From Los Angeles Times

On a night when former Rams star lineman Aaron Donald watched from a luxury box, the Rams got pressure on Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

From Los Angeles Times

Ramsey shut down Jones and established himself on a defense led by star defensive lineman Aaron Donald.

From Los Angeles Times

Defensive lineman Poona Ford, linebacker Daiyan Henley and outside linebacker Joey Bosa each added one.

From Los Angeles Times