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
Al GoreExamples of back seat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Geopolitics also taking a back seat to earnings.
—Katie Foley, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026
Beachy is worried that basic research could take a back seat to short-term goals as defined by the White House.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
After landing at National Airport, Truman accompanied Princess Elizabeth in the back seat of an open presidential limousine for the ride to Blair House, the elegant government guest quarters where the presidential family was living during White House renovations.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
But Johnson’s offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat to his defensive strengths.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back seat
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.
Katie Foley, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026
Beachy is worried that basic research could take a back seat to short-term goals as defined by the White House.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
After landing at National Airport, Truman accompanied Princess Elizabeth in the back seat of an open presidential limousine for the ride to Blair House, the elegant government guest quarters where the presidential family was living during White House renovations.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
But Johnson’s offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat to his defensive strengths.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back seat
Cite this Entry
“Back seat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20seat. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
