cornerback

[ kawr-ner-bak ]

noun

, Football.

1. one of two defensive backs back positioned in the secondary between the linebackers and safeties, responsible for covering the outside areas near the sidelines against end runs and pass plays.

cornerback

/ ˈkɔːnəˌbæk /

noun

1. American football a defensive back

Word History and Origins

Origin of cornerback¹

First recorded in 1965–70; corner + back ¹

Example Sentences

The Rams must find ways to eliminate teams, “instead of just going into dogfights,” said cornerback Cobie Durant, who had two pass breakups.

From Los Angeles Times

He and Chase “go way back,” competing as kids before they both attended Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, La., where Fulton was a star junior cornerback when Chase arrived as a dynamic freshman.

From Los Angeles Times

But the Miami Dolphins star cornerback’s influence still runs through a Rams defense that adopted many of the three-time All-Pro’s traits.

From Los Angeles Times

With a cornerback rotation that’s stripped to a pair of rookies in the starting rotation, however, they gave up a 41-yard touchdown pass from Will Levis to Calvin Ridley on the Titans’ opening drive Sunday.

From Los Angeles Times

Kristian Fulton, a cornerback whom the Titans drafted the previous year, knew almost immediately the former Washington Huskies star was going to make an impact in the NFL.

From Los Angeles Times