tailing

noun

tail·​ing ˈtā-liŋ How to pronounce tailing (audio)
1
: residue separated in the preparation of various products (such as grain or ores)
usually used in plural
2
: the part of a projecting stone or brick inserted in a wall

Examples of tailing in a Sentence

the reporter's constant tailing of the candidate resulted in an exclusive scoop
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.
The sand-like tailings connect the mainland with the larger rocky island in Lake Superior, and some visitors scramble up its steep face to the top. Duluth News Tribune, Twin Cities, 18 Aug. 2025 The plaintiffs also argued that that a tailings dam, if breached, would send a flood of toxic sludge that would heavily impact the communities of Dripping Springs, Kearny and Winkelman, and could possibly travel about 280 miles down the Gila River's watershed. Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025 Phoenix Tailings, a startup in Massachusetts, is also among a handful of U.S. companies prepared to refine rare earths, by refining the tailings, or leftover waste, from mining companies. Emily Feng, NPR, 23 July 2025 For comparison, earlier rovers used a brush instead to sweep debris, or tailings, out of the way. Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tailing

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tailing was in 1764

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailing. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tailing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!