caboose

noun

ca·​boose kə-ˈbüs 

1

: a ship's galley

2

: a freight-train car attached usually to the rear mainly for the use of the train crew

3

: one that follows or brings up the rear

4

: buttocks

Synonyms

• backside
• behind
• booty [slang]
• bootie
• bottom
• breech
• bum
• buns
• butt
• buttocks
• can
• cheeks
• derriere
• derrière
• duff
• fanny
• fundament
• hams
• haunches
• heinie [slang]
• hunkers
• keister [slang]
• keester
• nates
• posterior
• rear
• rear end
• rump
• seat
• tail
• tail end
• tush [slang]

Examples of caboose in a Sentence

I couldn't even make it down the bunny slope without ending up on my caboose

Recent Examples on the Web

Especially when that includes boarding a Christmastime caboose brimming with holiday decor, smelling hot cocoa wafting through the cars, and enjoying plenty of picturesque views. —Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024

Key Facts Surprising Fact The Tuesday caboose role was fitting for UnitedHealth, which is by far the Dow’s worst performer during the nine-day drought, falling 21%. —Derek Saul, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

The nearly 26 feet of floodwaters pushed the caboose and its radio equipment 300 feet down the street, according to the wART website. —Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024

Two buffer railcars provide safe spacing between the main railcar and the two locomotives powering the train, as well as a rail escort vehicle (REV) caboose that carries armed security staff for surveillance. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from Dutch kabuis, kombuis, from Middle Low German kabūse

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

caboose

noun

ca·​boose kə-ˈbüs 

: a car usually at the rear of a freight train for the use of the train crew and railroad workers