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Definition of piggyback
1 : up on the back and shoulders
2 : on or as if on the back of another; especially : on a railroad flatcar
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piggyback was our Word of the Day on 03/12/2013. Hear the podcast!
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Did You Know?
Have you ever wondered where the porcine part of piggyback comes from? Well, it's not from the pigs themselves. The adverb piggyback likely began as "a pick pack." Another early form of the word is pickback, evidence of which can be found in the still-extant variant pickaback. The adverb piggyback dates to the mid-16th century, and the noun-referring to an act of carrying piggyback-was in use by the end of that same century. The adjective piggyback, as in "piggyback ride," didn't enter the language until the 18th century, and the now-common verb piggyback didn't piggyback on the others until the late 19th century.
Origin and Etymology of piggyback
alteration of earlier a pick pack, of unknown origin
piggyback
pickaback
Definition of piggyback
1 : the act of carrying piggyback
2 : the movement of loaded truck trailers on railroad flatcars
Recent Examples of piggyback from the Web
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There are dozens of companies in the U.S. that piggyback on others’ networks.
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In particular, reducing high balances on credit cards can boost credit significantly. Piggyback.
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Cosart was activated from the disabled list Sunday – likely as a piggyback option in the event of another short start from RHP Jered Weaver – but has not pitched since May 7 for Triple-A El Paso.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'piggyback'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of piggyback
circa 1592
piggyback
pickaback
Definition of piggyback
1 : marked by being up on the shoulders and back a child needs hugging, tussling, and piggyback rides — Benjamin Spock
2 : carried or transported piggyback: such asa : of or relating to the hauling of truck trailers on railroad flatcarsb : being or relating to something carried into space as an extra load by a vehicle (such as a spacecraft)
First Known Use of piggyback
1784
piggyback
pickaback
Definition of piggyback
transitive verb
1 : to carry up on the shoulders and back
2 : to haul (something, such as a truck trailer) by railroad car
3 : to set up or cause to function in conjunction with something larger, more important, or already in existence or operation
intransitive verb
: to function or be carried on or as if on the back of another
Recent Examples of piggyback from the Web
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The audit says some group members, foundation directors and university trustees piggybacked on the deals, personally investing in some companies after the foundation did so – without disclosing it to the foundation board.
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For its part, Comcast recently launched Xfinity Mobile, a new wireless service that piggybacks off the Verizon Wireless network, in what the wireless industry refers to as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, or MVNO.
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The diplomats also declined to piggyback the mediation group proposal on a rights resolution that might win approval with a simple majority of the 35 members.
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The bill piggybacks off 2016 legislation that allowed the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to form public-private partnerships for state facilities projects.
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If approved, the efforts would piggyback on the work already being done by agents who work with the U.S. Attorney's Office.
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Years later, Sigmund Freud piggybacked on the idea that human smell is inferior to other senses, suggesting that the sense of smell could not dominate a rational person, according to the review.
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HBO is piggybacking on the success of The Young Pope.
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Obama also complained that some NATO allies, along with several Gulf states, were piggybacking on the security that America provides.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'piggyback'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of piggyback
1895
PIGGYBACK Defined for English Language Learners
piggyback
Definition of piggyback for English Language Learners
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: the act of carrying someone on your back or shoulders
piggyback
Definition of piggyback for English Language Learners
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: to be carried by or connected to something else or to cause (something) to be carried by or connected to something else
PIGGYBACK Defined for Kids
piggyback
playDefinition of piggyback for Students
: on the back or shoulders The child wanted a piggyback ride.
Learn More about piggyback
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See words that rhyme with piggyback Spanish Central: Translation of piggyback Nglish: Translation of piggyback for Spanish speakers
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