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fishtail

verb
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fish·​tail | \ ˈfish-ˌtāl How to pronounce fishtail (audio) \
fishtailed; fishtailing; fishtails

Definition of fishtail

intransitive verb

1 : to swing the tail of an airplane from side to side to reduce speed especially when landing
2 : to have the rear end slide from side to side out of control while moving forward the car fishtailed on the icy curve

Examples of fishtail in a Sentence

The car fishtailed on the icy curve.
Recent Examples on the Web Try covering your head in barrettes or learn to fishtail braid. — Louryn Strampe, Wired, "How to Cut Your Hair at Home," 19 Apr. 2020 He was also seen spinning tires and fishtailing into an oncoming lane of travel. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "Teen indicted in crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett," 23 Jan. 2020 He was also seen spinning tires and fishtailing into an oncoming lane of travel. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "Teen indicted in crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett," 23 Jan. 2020 He was also seen spinning tires and fishtailing into an oncoming lane of travel. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "Teen indicted in crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett," 23 Jan. 2020 He was also seen spinning tires and fishtailing into an oncoming lane of travel. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "Teen indicted in crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett," 23 Jan. 2020 He was also seen spinning tires and fishtailing into an oncoming lane of travel. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "Teen indicted in crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett," 23 Jan. 2020 He was also seen spinning tires and fishtailing into an oncoming lane of travel. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "Teen indicted in crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett," 23 Jan. 2020 He was also seen spinning tires and fishtailing into an oncoming lane of travel. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "Teen indicted in crash that killed Rod and Paula Bramblett," 23 Jan. 2020

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

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First Known Use of fishtail

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for fishtail

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The first known use of fishtail was in 1927

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Cite this Entry

“Fishtail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fishtail. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for fishtail

fishtail

verb
How to pronounce fishtail (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of fishtail

chiefly US, of a car, truck, etc. : to slide in an uncontrolled way with the rear end going from side to side

See the full definition for fishtail in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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