1
: a board or gate at the rear of a vehicle that can be removed or let down (as for loading)
2
[from the custom of seating trombonists at the rear of trucks carrying jazz bands in parades]
: a jazz trombone style marked by much use of slides to and from long sustained tones
3
US
: tailgate party
Nowadays, tailgates have evolved into mobile feasts: face-to-face social networks where complete strangers bond over food and drink, and everyone is eager to share.—
Greg Ferro
Greg Ferro
tailgated; tailgating
1
: to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle
2
US
: to have a tailgate party
: to drive dangerously close behind
tailgater
noun
US
: relating to or being a tailgate party
Examples of tailgate in a Sentence
Verb
He hit the car in front of him because he was tailgating.
They started tailgating at 10 o'clock.
Recent Examples on the WebRobin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024
The scene felt a lot like a concert tailgate with a camaraderie among the eclectic crowd.
—Levi Mandel, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Apr. 2024
Mary Walrath-Holdridge An Ohio town took celebrating the total solar eclipse to a level above barbecues and tailgates on Tuesday, instead hosting one huge eclipse party that cumulated in over 100 marriages and vow renewals.
—USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
The body and shell of McQueen’s SUV are finished in a lustrous coat of Citrus Green that’s broken up only by faux-wood striping running along the bottom of the vehicle and across the middle of its tailgate.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
The team’s decision to head to Las Vegas has been met by outrage and tailgate protests from Oakland fans.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 4 Apr. 2024
Fold down the rear seats and get up to 78 cubic feet of cargo space, or keep the seats up and stow over 40 cubic feet of stuff behind the rear seats and tailgate.
—Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
The waterproof and rust-resistant cooktop is great for other events, too, like tailgates and backyard barbecues.
—Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2024
The tailgate also senses the fob, opening and closing automatically.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
The 45-year-old Democrat appeared on social media with tailgating Ravens fans shotgunning beers before the AFC championship game against the Chiefs.
—Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024
And leading up to the game, fans tailgating outdoors and in bars and streaming into the stadium were just as jubilant.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 21 Jan. 2024
There was also a line for tailgating around 9 a.m.
What does Arrowhead Stadium look like?
Arrowhead Stadium could be seen covered in snow from the field to the seats eight hours before kickoff.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2024
The couple got to Green Bay seven hours before game time to tailgate with several members of the Milwaukee-area Chiefs fan group, as well as members of fellow Chiefs fan groups nationwide, who were also in town for the game.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2024
In the atmosphere of professional and college sports, where everything from physicality to finances has become more extreme, why not tailgating?
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2024
Some like to journey every year to Sturgis, South Dakota for the motorcycle rally, others tailgate at college and pro football games.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Jason Kelce tailgates with Bills fans Before stripping down to his bare chest during Sunday's playoff game, Jason tailgated with Bills fans outside Highmark Stadium.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Jan. 2024
Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024
Since then, he's been a chef for the Pacers, a travel caterer for IndyCar and a tailgate chef for the 2022 College Football National Championship.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Feb. 2024
The father-son duo made the trek from Chelsea just to come tailgate on the hallowed grounds of pregame fans before the watch party at Ford Field, with Ryan Eisley’s mother and girlfriend.
—Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024
Hosted by Guy Fieri, this free family friendly event is open to 10,000 fans of all ages and welcomes them to over 15 restaurants, Triple D specials, dozens of bars, tons of tailgate fun and surprise guests.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 3 Jan. 2024
Super Bowl 2024 ticket prices On Location has official Super Bowl tickets that are guaranteed by the NFL and included as part of packages with options like open bars, tailgate food and pregame parties.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Jan. 2024
The third-row seats can flip backward into a tailgate mode for stationary, rear-facing seating.
—Mike Austin, Car and Driver, 15 Apr. 2023
Murch, Jennings and the hundreds of others who were enjoying the green space on Saturday provided an ample example of how well such a tailgate space will be received.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2023
Wear the sporty round-toe shoes with jeans during tailgate season or with a midi dress during the holiday season.
—Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2023
Noun
Creamy, smoky and a little spicy, deviled eggs are a welcome addition to virtually any gathering, from Sunday brunch to neighborly potlucks, sports tailgates and holiday celebrations.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024
The scene felt a lot like a concert tailgate with a camaraderie among the eclectic crowd.
—Levi Mandel, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Apr. 2024
Mary Walrath-Holdridge An Ohio town took celebrating the total solar eclipse to a level above barbecues and tailgates on Tuesday, instead hosting one huge eclipse party that cumulated in over 100 marriages and vow renewals.
—USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
The body and shell of McQueen’s SUV are finished in a lustrous coat of Citrus Green that’s broken up only by faux-wood striping running along the bottom of the vehicle and across the middle of its tailgate.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
The team’s decision to head to Las Vegas has been met by outrage and tailgate protests from Oakland fans.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 4 Apr. 2024
Fold down the rear seats and get up to 78 cubic feet of cargo space, or keep the seats up and stow over 40 cubic feet of stuff behind the rear seats and tailgate.
—Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
The waterproof and rust-resistant cooktop is great for other events, too, like tailgates and backyard barbecues.
—Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2024
The tailgate also senses the fob, opening and closing automatically.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
Verb
Parking lots open for tailgating three hours before most games and at 4:10 p.m. before 6:40 p.m. games, according to the Brewers website.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
The 45-year-old Democrat appeared on social media with tailgating Ravens fans shotgunning beers before the AFC championship game against the Chiefs.
—Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024
And leading up to the game, fans tailgating outdoors and in bars and streaming into the stadium were just as jubilant.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 21 Jan. 2024
There was also a line for tailgating around 9 a.m.
What does Arrowhead Stadium look like?
Arrowhead Stadium could be seen covered in snow from the field to the seats eight hours before kickoff.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2024
The couple got to Green Bay seven hours before game time to tailgate with several members of the Milwaukee-area Chiefs fan group, as well as members of fellow Chiefs fan groups nationwide, who were also in town for the game.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2024
In the atmosphere of professional and college sports, where everything from physicality to finances has become more extreme, why not tailgating?
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2024
Some like to journey every year to Sturgis, South Dakota for the motorcycle rally, others tailgate at college and pro football games.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Jason Kelce tailgates with Bills fans Before stripping down to his bare chest during Sunday's playoff game, Jason tailgated with Bills fans outside Highmark Stadium.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Hirsch, grabbing his chips and drink in a tailgate lot full of 49ers fans, has felt nervous throughout the Lions season and playoffs.
—Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024
Since then, he's been a chef for the Pacers, a travel caterer for IndyCar and a tailgate chef for the 2022 College Football National Championship.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Feb. 2024
The father-son duo made the trek from Chelsea just to come tailgate on the hallowed grounds of pregame fans before the watch party at Ford Field, with Ryan Eisley’s mother and girlfriend.
—Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024
Hosted by Guy Fieri, this free family friendly event is open to 10,000 fans of all ages and welcomes them to over 15 restaurants, Triple D specials, dozens of bars, tons of tailgate fun and surprise guests.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 3 Jan. 2024
Super Bowl 2024 ticket prices On Location has official Super Bowl tickets that are guaranteed by the NFL and included as part of packages with options like open bars, tailgate food and pregame parties.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Jan. 2024
The third-row seats can flip backward into a tailgate mode for stationary, rear-facing seating.
—Mike Austin, Car and Driver, 15 Apr. 2023
Murch, Jennings and the hundreds of others who were enjoying the green space on Saturday provided an ample example of how well such a tailgate space will be received.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2023
Wear the sporty round-toe shoes with jeans during tailgate season or with a midi dress during the holiday season.
—Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tailgate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tailgate
Cite this Entry
“Tailgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailgate. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tailgate
1 of 2 noun
tail·gate
ˈtā(ə)l-ˌgāt 
: a panel at the back end of a vehicle (as a station wagon) that can be let down for loading and unloading
tailgate
2 of 2 verb
tailgated; tailgating
: to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle
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