back seat

noun

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 seatAl Gore
see also take a back seat

Examples of back seat in a Sentence

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.
Sports have taken a bit of a back seat these past couple of days. James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026 Sports has taken a bit of a back seat these past couple of days. Angela Yang, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026 Partway through the ride, the complaint alleged, the driver stopped the car, entered the back seat and raped her. Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026 Two other teens exit the back seat with their hands up. Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for back seat

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of back seat was in 1715

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Cite this Entry

“Back seat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20seat. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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