fullback
n.a defensive player in sports like soccer, rugby, or American football. Their main job is to stop the other team from scoring.
n.a defensive player positioned behind the front line of play. In modern association football, the role typically involves defending the flanks, while in American football, it often involves blocking for the halfback.
“The fullback kicked the ball away from the goal.”
“The coach decided to move the fastest defender to the fullback position to better handle the opponent's wingers.”
“Modern tactical shifts have transformed the fullback from a purely defensive stopper into a versatile wing-back who contributes significantly to the team's offensive transitions and crossing accuracy.”
Commonly used in the context of team sports; the specific duties of the role vary significantly between different football codes.
From full + back.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.