playmaker

noun

play·​mak·​er ˈplā-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce playmaker (audio)
: a player who leads the offense for a team (as in basketball or hockey)
playmaking
ˈplā-ˌmā-kiŋ How to pronounce playmaker (audio)
noun or adjective

Examples of playmaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Containing the two playmakers will be especially important for a FIU defense that has helped fuel the team’s recent success. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 Against the Niners alone, Jones made four impressive open-field tackles against a bevy of playmakers like Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, and Cowing. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 Notre Dame put in a dominant performance against Stanford that showcased offensive explosiveness and defensive playmakers. — ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026 Senior defensive back Chase Hughes is a playmaker in the secondary. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for playmaker

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of playmaker was in 1931

Rhymes for playmaker

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Browse Nearby Words

play make-believe
playmaker
playmate
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Cite this Entry

“Playmaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playmaker. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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