tailgate

1 of 3

noun

tail·​gate ˈtāl-ˌgāt 

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

tailgate

2 of 3

verb

tailgated; tailgating

intransitive verb

1

: to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle

2

US : to have a tailgate party

transitive verb

: to drive dangerously close behind

tailgater noun

tailgate

3 of 3

adjective

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

Noun

Survelliance video from the apartment showed the suspect and several others appearing to clear out glass and debris from the bed of the pickup truck, and placing tape over apparent bullet holes in the truck's tailgate, charges allege. — Riley Moser, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Pizza with Sausage, Bacon and Potatoes This recipe is sure to be a hit at your next tailgate. — Jasmine Thompson, Midwest Living, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

During home game Saturdays in the fall, the Grove is overflowing with families and friends tailgating. — Karla Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026

The 37‑year‑old told police Davis was tailgating him and cut him off on the roadway. — Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Fans can watch out for tailgate activations tied to Azucar this football season. — Kristi Dosh, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

These recipes for nut and snack mixes are perfect for a party snack, road trips, office potlucks, tailgate get-togethers, or food gifts. — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1949, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

1962, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tailgate

• tailgate party

Rhymes for tailgate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids 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