rear-end

1 of 2

verb

ˈrir-ˈend How to pronounce rear-end (audio)
-ˌend
rear-ended; rear-ending; rear-ends

transitive verb

: to crash into the back of (a vehicle)

rear end

2 of 2

noun

1
: the back part or section of something (such as a motor vehicle)
The preliminary investigation revealed that while traffic was stopped, the driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck hit the rear end of a Buick passenger car …Gabe Hauari
2
: buttocks
He's sneaky strong, having increased his bench press to 325 pounds, but his legs remain matchsticks and he has virtually no rear end.Curry Kirkpatrick

Examples of rear-end in a Sentence

Noun She stood up and brushed off her rear end. The car's rear end was badly damaged in the accident.
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.
Verb
An Italian skater who was previously in the lead managed to keep his balance after the crash, but was also turned around and forced to cross the finish line, um, rear-end first. Isabel Yip, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026 An accidental rear-end collision is what brings Davis and Maya together in the first place—and their ensuing relationship, though not without its bumps, sends the story on some of its more pleasurable curves. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
Common signs of anal gland problems include scooting, persistent odors, and excessive licking of the rear end. Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026 For her 1972 album, MItchell originally had intended the album cover to feature a horse with roses coming out of its rear end, reflecting her view of the music business. Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rear-end

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1957, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rear-end was in 1785

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rear-end.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rear-end. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster