1
: a board or gate at the rear of a vehicle that can be removed or let down (as for loading)
2
[from the custom of seating trombonists at the rear of trucks carrying jazz bands in parades]
: a jazz trombone style marked by much use of slides to and from long sustained tones
3
US
: tailgate party
Nowadays, tailgates have evolved into mobile feasts: face-to-face social networks where complete strangers bond over food and drink, and everyone is eager to share.—
Greg Ferro
Greg Ferro
tailgated; tailgating
1
: to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle
2
US
: to have a tailgate party
: to drive dangerously close behind
tailgater
noun
US
: relating to or being a tailgate party
Examples of tailgate in a Sentence
Verb
He hit the car in front of him because he was tailgating.
They started tailgating at 10 o'clock.
Recent Examples on the Web
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024
Earlier this week, GM expanded a recall affecting Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups due to faulty tailgate release switches.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Svati Kirsten Narula, Outside Online, 25 Oct. 2024
This fall, there will be tailgating and sailgating in the Big Ten, where snowflakes in the midwest will meet California sunshine.
—Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 12 Aug. 2024
New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2024
Where: In Western New York, particularly around Buffalo, this dip is a tailgate favorite that often makes appearances at Bills games and backyard football parties.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tailgate 
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Noun
North Carolina football fans have a new reason to celebrate with a tailgate.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024
Earlier this week, GM expanded a recall affecting Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups due to faulty tailgate release switches.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
Shop Now From shoveling the driveway and walking the dog to tailgating in the ski area parking lot, the Timberland Men’s Britton Roads Mid Lace-Up Waterproof Boots will be your go-to all season long.
—Svati Kirsten Narula, Outside Online, 25 Oct. 2024
This fall, there will be tailgating and sailgating in the Big Ten, where snowflakes in the midwest will meet California sunshine.
—Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 12 Aug. 2024
Adjective
Those who really want a tailgate kitchen, cabinets or other amenities can always build their own, as there's more than enough floor space.
—New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2024
Where: In Western New York, particularly around Buffalo, this dip is a tailgate favorite that often makes appearances at Bills games and backyard football parties.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tailgate
Dictionary Entries Near tailgate
Cite this Entry
“Tailgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailgate. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tailgate
1 of 2 noun
tail·gate
ˈtā(ə)l-ˌgāt 
: a panel at the back end of a vehicle (as a station wagon) that can be let down for loading and unloading
tailgate
2 of 2 verb
tailgated; tailgating
: to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle
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