quarterback

plural quarterbacks

1. CanadianAmerican footballAn offensive back whose primary job is to pass the ball in a play.

   Standing 6-foot-6, 237 pounds, Herbert’s size and arm strength are consistent with a prototypical N.F.L. quarterback, and he led the Ducks to a Pac-12 championship and a victory at the Rose Bowl in January with not much talent at receiver.

   2020 April 24, Ken Belson, Ben Shpigel, “Full Round 1 2020 N.F.L. Picks and Analysis”, in The New York Times

   1 more example

   Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans defended Azeez Al-Shaair after the linebacker was ejected from Sunday’s game for throwing a late hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. […] “A lot of the quarterbacks in this day and age, they try to take advantage of the rule where they slide late, and they try to get an extra yard. And now you’re a defender, a lot of onus is on the defender, right?”

   2024 December 2, David Close, “Houston Texans head coach defends Azeez Al-Shaair as the NFL leans toward suspending the linebacker, source says”, in CNN

2. historicalAmerican footballAn offensive back who receives the snap (hike) and then blocks the defense from crossing the line of scrimmage; a blocking back.
3. historicalball gamesA position just behind the forwards, or one who plays this position.

present singular third person quarterbacks · participle present quarterbacking · participle past quarterbacked · past quarterbacked

1. transitiveAmerican footballTo play the position of quarterback.
2. broadlyfigurativelytransitiveTo lead a team or group; to be primarily responsible for some group project or activity.

   Wayman's major responsibility is to quarterback the team, coordinating business development, project scheduling and management and quality control.

   1981, “Interiors roundtable”, in Lodging Hospitality, volume 37, page 250