- a player in American or Canadian football, positioned usually behind the centre, who directs attacking play
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
quar•ter•back /ˈkwɔrtɚˌbæk/USA pronunciation
n.
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Sport[countable] a back in football who usually lines up immediately behind the center and directs the offense of the team.
- Sport[uncountable] the position played by this back.
v.
- to direct the offense of (a team): [~ + object]He quarterbacked his team to victory.[no object]He should be quarterbacking again in no time.
quar•ter•back
(kwôr′tər bak′),USA pronunciation n.
v.t.
v.i.
- Sporta back in football who usually lines up immediately behind the center and directs the offense of the team.
- Sportthe position played by this back.
- a person who leads or directs a group or activity.
v.t.
- to direct the offense of (a team).
- to lead or direct:to quarterback a public-relations campaign.
v.i.
- Sportto play the position of quarterback.
- quarter + back1 1875–80, American.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
quarterback /ˈkwɔːtəˌbæk/ n US Canadian
'quarterback' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
backfield
- blitz
- complete
- Montana
- sack
- shotgun
- wide receiver
- all-star
- blind side
- bootleg play
- cross buck
- draw
- fade
- fullback
- ground
- hang
- huddle
- I formation
- keeper
- lead
- Monday morning quarterback
- pitchout
- play-action pass
- pocket
- power
- QB
- quarterback sneak
- read
- rollout
- T formation
- wishbone
- sensational
- sideline
- single wingback formation
- snap
- Statue of Liberty
- stride