back seat

noun \ ˈbak-ˈsēt \

variants: or less commonly backseat

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of back seat

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

2 : a secondary or inferior position

won't take a back seat to anyone

Recent Examples of back seat from the Web

Oil prices edged higher Thursday as fears that trade restrictions will crimp global economic growth took a back seat to declining U.S. inventories.

— WSJ, "Oil Rises as Inventories Fall, Trade Fears Ease," 5 Apr. 2018
Offset even makes an appearance toward the end, joining his fiancée for a make-out session in the back seat of a car.

— rania aniftos, Billboard, "Cardi B Decked Out in Diamonds in 'Bartier Cardi' Video: Watch," 2 Apr. 2018
Co-chairman David Sullivan, who has since taken a back seat in transfer affairs will still attempt to placate fans with a move for the Russia captain, according to the Daily Mail.

— SI.com, "West Ham to Make 2nd Attempt to Sign Russian Hotshot Striker in Bid to Smooth Things Over With Fans," 30 Mar. 2018
Uninjured, Eula was able to get out of the car through the passenger side door and get to a juvenile in the back seat of the car, which turned out to be stolen.

— christine dempsey, courant.com, "Juveniles In Stolen Car Collide With Branford Patrol Vehicle, Police Say," 27 Mar. 2018
Based on the celebrated novel by Emily M. Danforth, Miseducation of Cameron Post follows the titular character (Moretz) as she is sent to a gay conversion therapy center after getting caught with another girl in the back seat of a car on prom night.

— tatiana siegel, The Hollywood Reporter, "Sundance Grand Jury Winner 'Miseducation of Cameron Post' Lands at FilmRise," 23 Mar. 2018
Nagy was placed in the back seat of a teammate's vehicle and held down by at least two players while others piled into the vehicle, according to the lawsuit.

— christy gutowski, chicagotribune.com, "Former Wheaton College football player sues school, former teammates over hazing incident," 16 Mar. 2018
There's plenty of headroom and leg room, both in the front and back seats.

— eric bangeman, Ars Technica, "Review: The BMW 640i xDrive GT is the nicest hatchback you’ll ever drive," 25 Mar. 2018
But those plans are certain to take a back seat during a broader trade war, said studio executives, who did not want to be named speaking publicly.

— geoffrey mohan, latimes.com, "Tariffs on China could spark a response, hitting agriculture, tech and aerospace in the U.S.," 23 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'back seat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of back seat

1715

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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