defensive backs

A form of defensive back — 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

noun
  1. pluralplural of defensive back
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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