back seat

noun

ˈbak-ˈsēt 

variants or less commonly backseat

1

: a seat in the back (as of an automobile)

2

: a secondary or inferior position

… the issues and concerns that have sometimes been given a back seat …

—Al Gore

see also take a back seat

Examples of back seat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the report, viewed by PEOPLE, Chase was found in the back seat of a car on June 4. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2026

The material is also free of latex, PVC, lead, and cadmium, which is nice to know if your back seat is mostly kids and dogs. — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 10 Nov. 2026

My aunt and uncle, seated in the back seat, fortunately escaped serious injury. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

The back seat was somewhat compromised in headroom and legroom (and torso room, thanks to a giant center console), but the car’s curves more than made up for its flaws—at least, from the driver’s seat. — Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for back seat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete