quarterback I. \ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun : a backfield player in football who usually lines up behind the center, calls the signals, and directs the offensive play of his team II. transitive verb 1.: to call the signals and direct the offensive play of (a football team) 2.: to give executive direction to : issue orders to : boss < quarterbacked the original buying syndicate — Time > intransitive verb : to serve as quarterback < quarterbacked for his high school team >