How to Use tailgate in a Sentence

tailgate

1 of 3 noun
  • Just drop the tailgate and load the boat into the hold.
    Field & Stream Commerce Team, Field & Stream, 23 Jan. 2023
  • And in the rear, the tailgate folds out into a lounge seat.
    Laura Burstein, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2022
  • Aiyana laughed at her dad and kicked her legs out over the tailgate.
    Tony Schick, ProPublica, 28 Dec. 2022
  • For some, the best part of a football tailgate is the big bowl of guacamole.
    Gretchen McKay, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2023
  • And watch out for scofflaws who speed, run red lights or tailgate.
    Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 26 Aug. 2023
  • Two bullets hit the driver’s car, and one passed through the tailgate and hit the driver in the back.
    oregonlive, 11 Apr. 2023
  • Don’t drive your truck with the tailgate open or removed.
    Tribune News Service, oregonlive, 13 Mar. 2022
  • So, now is a good time to take stock of your tailgate and party gear.
    Joey Morona, cleveland, 9 Aug. 2023
  • The tailgate can be opened to about a 45-degree angle for long loads.
    Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 28 July 2022
  • This cheeky Game of Thrones apron will crack a few smiles at the family tailgate.
    John Thompson, Men's Health, 16 Nov. 2022
  • Patrons may not block a drive or fire lane with their tailgate.
    Mike Hart, Journal Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2022
  • Bring your favorite two-piece sets to pair with your statement kicks for the tailgates.
    Venesa Coger, refinery29.com, 2 Oct. 2023
  • Aside from the food, there will be giant beer pong, Baggo and tailgate games for adults.
    Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 29 Sep. 2022
  • The tailgate event, which starts at 2 p.m., will feature games, giveaways and more, the news release said.
    Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 29 June 2022
  • Fire up the grill, break out the tailgate recipes, and settle on the couch with all your favorite Super Bowl snack foods.
    Trisha Garcia-Easto, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2024
  • Nobody knows what beers will be served until the tailgate starts, Furse said.
    Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Sep. 2022
  • Once the time change was announced, Parsons made the decision to hold his own tailgate for the first time.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2023
  • Instead of a rear wiper, there is a flow-through slot in the spoiler at the top of the tailgate that directs airflow across the rear glass to keep it clear.
    Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 28 June 2022
  • Just to be safe, maybe one of our other portable tailgate recipes could sub in a pinch.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2023
  • In a similar vein, the trailer appears to have a bar at the rear, with the tailgate doubling as a bartop.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 17 Jan. 2024
  • All the flavor of your favorite spicy wings, but with none of the sticky-fingered mess, these meatballs are a tailgate must-have.
    Christopher Michel, Country Living, 12 Dec. 2022
  • The bus that will deposit him on the opposite side of the Rose Bowl from his tailgate, requiring a long walk.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2022
  • The Rock Creek model's front end has a different grille and front fascia, and Rock Creek badges adorn the front doors and tailgate.
    Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 11 Apr. 2022
  • There’s even a contest for at-home tailgate homemade hats.
    Jessica Swannie, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024
  • At the tailgate, Colegrove watched the fisher’s jaw tighten and eyelids twitch as the sedatives wore off.
    Elizabeth Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2022
  • Fans could literally sit on a truck tailgate and watch the game unfold in front of them.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Dec. 2023
  • Between all of the fall tailgates and cool-weather concerts, this time of year is my favorite.
    Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2023
  • That’s just east of Rice-Eccles Stadium next to the tailgate parking lot.
    Courtney Tanner, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 Nov. 2022
  • Chicken wings are never the wrong choice in my playbook and are all-around football tailgate fare.
    Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 27 Jan. 2024
  • Out in the parking lot, some cracked open cold cans of beer, the scene like a celebratory tailgate.
    Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Nov. 2022
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tailgate

2 of 3 verb
  • He hit the car in front of him because he was tailgating.
  • They started tailgating at 10 o'clock.
  • No longer does my tailgate flop down and hit the bike rack.
    The Editors, Outside Online, 3 May 2021
  • Here is a guide to event and game day parking and where to tailgate and watch the game on the big day.
    Sydney Carruth, The Arizona Republic, 9 Feb. 2023
  • Browns fans will get one more time to tailgate in 2021.
    Dan Labbe, cleveland, 30 Mar. 2021
  • The Elantra flashed its high beams while tailgating his car.
    Evan MacDonald, cleveland, 26 Feb. 2020
  • The next time the trio will be able to tailgate for a Hog game at War Memorial will be in 2025.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2023
  • Barbeque smoke filled the air from the people tailgating and from the food trucks and food tents.
    Luis Torres, orlandosentinel.com, 23 Nov. 2019
  • Here are just a few key rules for tailgating at Miller Park.
    Nancy Stohs, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2018
  • For now, slow down, avoid changing lanes, don’t tailgate and, of course, stay off the cellphone.
    Gary Richards, The Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2019
  • Bottom Line: Looking to out-tailgate all the other campers and trucks?
    Melissa McGibbon, Outside Online, 18 Oct. 2022
  • Camping is a big part of it, tailgating is a big part of it, music is a big part of it.
    Annie Alleman, chicagotribune.com, 13 May 2018
  • But the team doesn't have enough land to let thousands of fans tailgate on their property.
    Steve Harrison, charlotteobserver, 5 July 2018
  • Students flooded the streets, and tailgate tents and flags waved throughout the parking lot.
    Ryan McFadden, baltimoresun.com, 4 Sep. 2021
  • Just as Huxley’s wife dogs his steps, ghosts tailgate Luce.
    Helen Shaw, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2021
  • Heading downtown to tailgate or watch the game in person?
    Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 11 Aug. 2023
  • Visitors are welcome to tailgate or bring a blanket to sit on the grass for the fireworks.
    Dallas News, 22 June 2020
  • People can come out and tailgate before the game, just like football.
    Rachel Roberts, idahostatesman, 2 Feb. 2018
  • Parking lots will open at 2:00 p.m. for tailgating with bands, food and beer.
    Slade Rand, courant.com, 10 July 2019
  • The Harry Potter fan who loves to tailgate needs this Igloo cooler.
    Jamie Kravitz, Woman's Day, 4 Nov. 2022
  • For those coming from the north, south or west who want to tailgate, though, some closures will be worth noting.
    Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 22 Apr. 2022
  • Avid Gophers fan Nadine Babu and her friends have been tailgating since the football team’s days at the Metrodome.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 2019
  • On the other hand, some were quick to defend the AD, pointing out that many who tailgate in the lot don’t make it into the game anyway.
    Kevin Vellturo, courant.com, 28 Aug. 2019
  • That includes the city’s rules for fans tailgating in the Muni Lot before the game with the Buffalo Bills.
    Robert Higgs, cleveland, 8 Nov. 2019
  • And then there are the more fun tailgating potentials of powering a TV and blender.
    Mark Maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, 9 Mar. 2018
  • Even during the Ravens’ soggy, meaningless game against the Steelers in Week 18, there many fans were, tailgating just the same in the rain.
    Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2024
  • To be sure, the whole country loves to tailgate, or at least, 70 million of us do, according to Freedom Grill Inc.
    Jane Borden, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2023
  • Plus, tailgating recipes for four cities with big sporting events.
    USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2018
  • The design’s upright sides and tailgate augment cargo and kid space.
    Tribune News Service, cleveland, 17 Apr. 2021
  • Kevin Wittman, of Sylvania, loves to tailgate with friends and family in the Muni Lot before the games.
    cleveland, 6 Sep. 2021
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tailgate

3 of 3 adjective
  • The demise of the Oakland tailgate scene was a common lament.
    Matt Kawahara, SFChronicle.com, 6 Oct. 2019
  • The event will be unique, in that it will be set up in a tailgate format.
    cleveland, 1 Aug. 2020
  • From tailgate toss games to car decals, keep scrolling to snag the best sales on the web for the sports fans in your life.
    Melissa Lee, USA TODAY, 19 Aug. 2020
  • Check out our favorite photos from the tailgate scene, the game and the fans in the Bryant-Denny Stands!
    Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 1 Oct. 2021
  • Throw a tailgate tent in the trunk with an Igloo full of suds, and a beach day can be had for just the cost of gas and parking.
    Jeff Weiner, OrlandoSentinel.com, 13 Oct. 2017
  • There's also mud flaps behind the wheels, a rear door guard, and a tailgate light.
    Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 1 Aug. 2023
  • Look back at our favorite photos from the game and the tailgate scene on campus!
    Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 19 Nov. 2021
  • The truck trailer turned tailgate bus is owned by Mike Wilson of North Ridgeville.
    Rachel Keck, cleveland.com, 13 Dec. 2017
  • The pair were going to carve it at a tailgate event before a Bengals-Browns game.
    Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 23 Sep. 2021
  • Don't forget to whip up some tailgate food to make the game even more fun and memorable.
    Terri Huggins Hart, Woman's Day, 24 June 2022
  • Fans raised beers and cheered as mushers and dog teams raced through their tailgate parties along the Chester Creek Trail.
    Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Mar. 2022
  • Hint: Even during away games, the place is tailgate central.
    Travel Wisconsin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 21 Sep. 2017
  • Make your game day date even more fun by making your best tailgate food recipes.
    Corinne Sullivan, Country Living, 1 Aug. 2023
  • Switch up your tailgate recipes by adding Chicken Sausage with Fennel and Apples to the menu.
    Emma Phelps, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2023
  • Post time for the first race is 1:30 p.m., and tailgate picnics are encouraged.
    Maryanna Skowronski, The Aegis, 2 Apr. 2018
  • And, for those who aren't huge sports fans, football equals tailgate food like buffalo wings and all the dips.
    Melissa Minton, Bon Appetit, 12 Oct. 2017
  • In some cases they have been snarled in traffic and forced to scramble their tailgate meet-up plans.
    James B. Nelson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2017
  • The area outside the gates had a festive, tailgate atmosphere.
    Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2022
  • Now Quick is bringing the tailgate-style concert concept to Louisville.
    Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 10 July 2020
  • But the familiar crowded sports bars and parking lots packed for tailgate parties are, for now, a thing of the past.
    Robert Higgs, cleveland, 10 Sep. 2020
  • There also was a raffle with prizes such as wine, flowers and Bears tailgate chairs.
    Mike Nolan, chicagotribune.com, 13 Oct. 2017
  • This event will be tailgate style with live music and $5 beer specials from breweries.
    The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2023
  • There were tailgate parties and a pregame party in a stadium sports bar.
    Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2022
  • Goose Lake Park This is tailgate central, where folks picnic and party while teams pass by.
    Anchorage Daily News, 3 Mar. 2023
  • This is tailgate central, where folks picnic and party while teams pass by.
    Anchorage Daily News, 3 Mar. 2018
  • All the trucks have electric tailgate latch release switches in the tailgate handle.
    BostonGlobe.com, 7 Dec. 2019
  • Tiger fans never fail to make an impression on the tailgate scene, dressed head-to-toe in costumes, overalls and all things tiger stripes.
    Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 28 Dec. 2021
  • The real story played out in the conversations in the stands, at the numerous tailgate events, and at bars and restaurants in and around Boulder.
    Jay B. Silveria, The Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2019
  • Protesters at the tailgate event were discouraged from wearing masks — almost no one at the protest wore one.
    Audrey Jensen, The Arizona Republic, 6 July 2020
  • Sloan hosts tailgate parties before spring training games and puts flusher handles on the beer taps.
    Ally Marotti, chicagotribune.com, 1 June 2017

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tailgate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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