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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Jones, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, guard/center Ryan Bates, cornerback Zah Frazier, safety Elijah Hicks, cornerback Terell Smith, running back Ian Wheeler and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga also were not spotted.
—Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 29 May 2025
During his senior season at UCLA, Toia made 16 run stops in 12 games and was crucial in clogging up running lanes to set up the Bruins’ linebackers to make plays.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2025
For all the talk about the free-agent additions of safety Talanoa Hufanga, inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw and tight end Evan Engram, the Broncos got one of their most critical pieces of offseason business done the day before the free agency negotiating window opened in March.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 28 May 2025
Behind them is a linebacker unit led by Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson, who on paper fill the stat box.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 May 2025
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Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 29 May 2025
During his senior season at UCLA, Toia made 16 run stops in 12 games and was crucial in clogging up running lanes to set up the Bruins’ linebackers to make plays.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2025
For all the talk about the free-agent additions of safety Talanoa Hufanga, inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw and tight end Evan Engram, the Broncos got one of their most critical pieces of offseason business done the day before the free agency negotiating window opened in March.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 28 May 2025
Behind them is a linebacker unit led by Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson, who on paper fill the stat box.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 May 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 4 Jun. 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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