quarterback

/ˌkwɔrdərˈbæk/

/ˈkwɔtəbæk/

Other forms: quarterbacks; quarterbacking; quarterbacked

In American football, the quarterback is in charge of the team's offense. When football players huddle in a circle to plan their plays, the quarterback usually decides which strategy to use.

In many ways, a quarterback is a team's leader, although ultimately the coach is in charge. When an NFL team wins the Super Bowl, the quarterback accepts the winning trophy. As a verb, to quarterback either means, literally, to play the position of quarterback, or to lead a team or project: "The teacher asked me to quarterback the class Halloween party." Quarterback comes from the starting field position, between the center and the halfback.

Definitions of quarterback

1. noun

   (football) the person who plays quarterback
   synonyms: field general, signal caller

   type of:

   back

   (football) a person who plays in the backfield
2. noun

   (American football) the position of the football player in the backfield who directs the offensive play of his team
   “quarterback is the most important position on the team”

   synonyms: field general, signal caller

   type of:

   back

   (American football) the position of a player on a football team who is stationed behind the line of scrimmage
3. verb

   play the quarterback
   type of:

   play

   participate in games or sport