quarterback

UK: /ˈkwɔː^rtə^rbæk/ US: /ˈkwɔrtɚˌbæk/ ,(kwôr′tər bak′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

quar•ter•back /ˈkwɔrtɚˌbæk/   n. 

1. Sport [countable] a back in football who usually lines up immediately behind the center and directs the offense of the team.
2. Sport [uncountable] the position played by this back.

v. 

3. to direct the offense of (a team): [~ + object]
   He quarterbacked his team to victory.
   [no object]
   He should be quarterbacking again in no time.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

quar•ter•back  (kwôr′tər bak′), n. 

1. Sport a back in football who usually lines up immediately behind the center and directs the offense of the team.
2. Sport the position played by this back.
3. a person who leads or directs a group or activity.

v.t. 

4. to direct the offense of (a team).
5. to lead or direct:
   to quarterback a public-relations campaign.

v.i. 

6. Sport to play the position of quarterback.

• quarter + back¹ 1875–80, American.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

quarterback / ˈkwɔːtəˌbæk/ noun

1. a player in American or Canadian football, positioned usually behind the centre, who directs attacking play