linebacker
noun
line·back·er
ˈlīn-ˌba-kər 
: a defensive football player who lines up immediately behind the line of scrimmage to make tackles on running plays through the line or defend against short passes
Examples of linebacker in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the sports guesses were close enough: Koala was revealed to be former NFL linebacker DeMarcus Ware.
—
Lauren Huff, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2024
One solution could be moving linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo to edge rusher, an enticing possibility given his ability to shed blockers in early spring practices.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Former Butler Community College linebacker Udoka Ezeani was credited with two quarterback hurries, although the quarterbacks were off limits.
—Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2024
Those linebackers all have pass rush and coverage skills, and Entz sees those in Gentry.
—Aaron Heisen, Orange County Register, 5 Apr. 2024
He’s scheduled to have dinner with Dolphins linebackers coach Joe Barry this week.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
The 6-foot-1, 234-pound linebacker can come in and learn before potentially taking over for Thompson.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2024
Shula coached edge rushers, linebackers and defensive backs during seven seasons as a Rams assistant.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
There’s also a pair of new linebackers — Army’s Tano Letuli and Utah’s Owen Chambliss — but most of the transfers are in the secondary.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024
Lauren Huff, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2024
One solution could be moving linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo to edge rusher, an enticing possibility given his ability to shed blockers in early spring practices.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Former Butler Community College linebacker Udoka Ezeani was credited with two quarterback hurries, although the quarterbacks were off limits.
—Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2024
Those linebackers all have pass rush and coverage skills, and Entz sees those in Gentry.
—Aaron Heisen, Orange County Register, 5 Apr. 2024
He’s scheduled to have dinner with Dolphins linebackers coach Joe Barry this week.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
The 6-foot-1, 234-pound linebacker can come in and learn before potentially taking over for Thompson.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2024
Shula coached edge rushers, linebackers and defensive backs during seven seasons as a Rams assistant.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
There’s also a pair of new linebackers — Army’s Tano Letuli and Utah’s Owen Chambliss — but most of the transfers are in the secondary.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'linebacker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near linebacker
Cite this Entry
“Linebacker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linebacker. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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