linebacker
noun
line·back·er
ˈlīn-ˌba-kər 
plural linebackers
: a football player on the defending team who typically lines up behind the defensive linemen
They play tight defense in the secondary, and linebackers fill gaps on the run and are expected to defend the pass.—
Jerry McDonald
Jerry McDonaldToday, a blitzing linebacker is just as likely to get a sack because no one blocked him as he is on a great pass rush move.—Tim Green
Tim GreenExamples of linebacker in a Sentence
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Third-year Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams recruited Wallace’s brother, Trevin, an All-SEC freshman at Kentucky and three-year letter winner at linebacker who is now with the Carolina Panthers.
—arkansasonline.com, 12 July 2025
Murphy, who impressed during training camp as a rookie before suffering a knee injury, will likely compete with Quinton Bell, Mohamed Kamara and Channing Tindall for one of the four or five backup linebacker spots behind Brooks, Dodson, Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson.
—Omar Kelly
july 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
Reasons for confidence: Smith had an uneven 2024 season, but he’s still considered one of the best middle linebackers in football.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Hyppolite spent time learning various linebacker spots this spring.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for linebacker
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arkansasonline.com, 12 July 2025
Murphy, who impressed during training camp as a rookie before suffering a knee injury, will likely compete with Quinton Bell, Mohamed Kamara and Channing Tindall for one of the four or five backup linebacker spots behind Brooks, Dodson, Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson.
—Omar Kelly
july 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
Reasons for confidence: Smith had an uneven 2024 season, but he’s still considered one of the best middle linebackers in football.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Hyppolite spent time learning various linebacker spots this spring.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for linebacker
Cite this Entry
“Linebacker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linebacker. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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linebacker
noun
line·back·er
ˈlīn-ˌbak-ər
: a football player on the defending team whose usual position is a short distance in back of the line of scrimmage
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