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
Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2025
The two owners of D1 Training and former UGA Athletes head to Marti's at Midday for chicken salad for lunchtime tailgates.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025
Bill Kelly, CBS News, 27 Nov. 2025
The rear of the Heritage Customs Valiance Pick-Up, with door and tailgate open.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025
Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 18 Nov. 2025
Each will spotlight the yumminess of Kansas City’s biggest tailgate scene.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tailgate
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Noun
Finds like winterproof turtlenecks and trendy jeans belong to the first category—and are ready to elevate your next tailgate, grocery run, or backyard hang.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2025
The two owners of D1 Training and former UGA Athletes head to Marti's at Midday for chicken salad for lunchtime tailgates.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025
Verb
Wind chills early Friday will be in the low 20s and even in the teens, so wear plenty of layers if you're headed out early to tailgate ahead of the Eagles game or for some Black Friday shopping.
—Bill Kelly, CBS News, 27 Nov. 2025
The rear of the Heritage Customs Valiance Pick-Up, with door and tailgate open.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
The pies are so popular that people camp out tailgate-style on those days before Thanksgiving, pitching chairs and barbecuing, in order to grab a fresh pie for their holiday table.
—Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 18 Nov. 2025
Each will spotlight the yumminess of Kansas City’s biggest tailgate scene.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tailgate
Cite this Entry
“Tailgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailgate. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
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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