fullback

[ fool-bak ]

noun

, Football.

1. a running back who lines up behind the quarterback and is farthest from the line of scrimmage.
2. the position played by this back.
3. (in soccer, Rugby, field hockey) a player stationed near the defended goal to carry out chiefly defensive duties.

fullback

/ ˈfʊlˌbæk /

noun

1. soccer hockey one of two defensive players positioned in front of the goalkeeper
2. rugby a defensive player positioned close to his own line
3. the position held by any of these players

Word History and Origins

Origin of fullback¹

First recorded in 1885–90; full ¹ + back ¹

Example Sentences

The median fullback and punter earns more in his second contract than off-ball linebackers, yet teams would likely never spend a fifth overall pick on either position.

From FiveThirtyEight

Their mission was to keep their top four priorities — offensive tackle Trent Williams, fullback Kyle Jusczcyk and cornerbacks Jason Verrett and J’Waun Williams.

From Washington Post

I loved watching Sue Ellen, even when she was wearing jackets as wide-shouldered as a fullback’s and using too much Joan Jett eyeliner.

From Washington Post

He had shuffled between meeting rooms as a rare two-way player during his first few seasons in the NFL, a 6-foot-3, 311-pound mountain of a man assigned to batter opponents as both a fullback and defensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens.

From Washington Post

He is a fullback who can play on either side, adding depth to positions that were left thin by injuries this year.

From Washington Post

How many times we had seen that fullback miss that block on that end I do not know.

From The Daily Beast

But Kitsch felt the role of Tim Riggins, the gifted fullback from a splintered family, hit closer to home.

From The Daily Beast

One night during his years as a college fullback he took his girlfriend, a basketball player, to see Phantom of the Opera.

From The Daily Beast

One night during his years as a college fullback he took his girlfriend to see Phantom of the Opera.

From The Daily Beast

He lunged forward and crashed against the dark panel near the lock and bolt, with the energy of a college fullback.

From Project Gutenberg

For an instant they felt an immense relief, as they crowded around Wilson, the fullback, and clapped him on the shoulder.

From Project Gutenberg

The jubilant Army men called on McAlpin, their giant fullback, to buck the line.

From Project Gutenberg

As for Bert at fullback, no such demon playing had been seen at West Point for a generation.

From Project Gutenberg

The bucking game was not panning out and the ball was passed back to the giant fullback, Livingston, for a kick.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• halfback
• tailback