Meaning & use

quarterback

noun·Everyday

In American football, the player who leads the offense and typically throws or hands off the ball.

See it in a sentence

The quarterback threw a perfect pass to the receiver in the end zone for a touchdown.

As project lead, she quarterbacked the entire product launch from planning to release.

A note on using this word

Beyond football, quarterback is often used informally as a verb meaning to direct or organize a complex effort or team.

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To direct or lead a team or complex effort, especially from a central role.

The senior partner quarterbacked negotiations between the two companies for months.

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