defensive back

noun

Collective term for the defensive players who are in position farthest from the ball at the start of a play and whose principal responsibility is to defend against passes. Includes cornerbacks and safeties in both codes, and defensive halfbacks in the Canadian game.

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Meanings

noundefensive back (plural defensive backs)

plural defensive backs

  1. CanadianAmerican footballCollective term for the defensive players who are in position farthest from the ball at the start of a play and whose principal responsibility is to defend against passes. Includes cornerbacks and safeties in both codes, and defensive halfbacks in the Canadian game.
Cite this entry
APA

defensive back. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/defensive%20back

MLA

“defensive back.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/defensive%20back. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “defensive back,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/defensive%20back.

Source: defensive back on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.