defensive back

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableAmericansport

   In American football, a player whose job is to stop the other team's receivers from catching passes.

   Grammar: Countable: say 'a defensive back' or 'two defensive backs'. Often shortened to 'DB' in writing.

   Patterns

   • play defensive back
   • a defensive back covers someone

   He played defensive back in college before a knee injury ended his career.

   The defensive back stayed close to the receiver and knocked the ball away.

   Coaches often move fast college players to defensive back.

2. 2noununcountableAmericansport

   The position or role played by such a player in a team's defense.

   Grammar: Used without 'a' when it names the position rather than a person: 'He plays defensive back.'

   Patterns

   • play defensive back
   • start at defensive back

   She started at defensive back for three seasons.

   Playing defensive back requires quick feet and good anticipation.

Word forms

Common combinations

a starting defensive back

He was a starting defensive back for the Chicago team.

cover a receiver

The defensive back must cover the receiver all the way down the field.

an experienced defensive back

They signed an experienced defensive back in free agency.

play defensive back

My cousin plays defensive back at a small college.

Synonyms and how they differ

cornerback

A cornerback is a specific type of defensive back who usually covers wide receivers near the sideline.

safety

A safety is a defensive back who plays farther from the line and often helps in the middle of the field.

Word family

defense noun

The part of a team that tries to stop the other team from scoring.

defensive adjective

Relating to defending or protecting against attack.

Commonly confused: defensive back or fullback?

Practice

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