Cornerback Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

cornerback American [kawr-ner-bak] / ˈkɔr nərˌbæk /

noun

Football.

1. one of two defensive backs back positioned in the secondary between the linebackers and safeties, responsible for covering the outside areas near the sidelines against end runs and pass plays.

cornerback British / ˈkɔːnəˌbæk /

noun

1. American football a defensive back

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cornerback

First recorded in 1965–70; corner + back 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He also joked that the Colts already have a star player who wears jersey No. 1 — cornerback Sauce Gardner — and they knew “I gotta get No. 1.”

From Los Angeles Times

It was such a dominant showing that the Colts went all-in on a Super Bowl run by trading two first round picks to acquire shutdown cornerback Sauce Gardner at the trade deadline.

From The Wall Street Journal

After the Chargers went three and out on their next possession, cornerback Cam Hart picked off Hurts, helping set up a drive that led to Dicker’s third field goal of the game.

From Los Angeles Times

Lavender, a cornerback from Mater Dei High who made seven interceptions last season as one of the Monarchs’ top defenders.

From Los Angeles Times

Lavender, a cornerback from Mater Dei High, made a similar move by backing out of his commitment to Washington and pledging to become a Bruin.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.