1
: the offensive football back farthest from the line of scrimmage
2
British
: a line of vehicles caused by a traffic slowdown or stoppage
Examples of tailback in a Sentence
stuck in a five-mile tailback on the southbound carriageway
Recent Examples on the Web
But mostly, the Bills have allowed star tailbacks to run amok.
—
Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
While this team isn’t playing with a full deck, missing its starting quarterback Conner Harrell, tailback Henry Rutledge, center Jonny King, and a handful of depth pieces on the offensive line, the play-calling by Fitch is among the worst in college football.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 15 Nov. 2025
The Grandview defensive star — making his prep debut at tailback — ran through several tackles, trucked another defender and then stiff-armed the safety en route to the end zone to make it 25-15.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2025
Bills tailback James Cook had gotten some room on the left side of the field and tried to fight for some extra yards with his team already down.
—Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tailback
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Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
While this team isn’t playing with a full deck, missing its starting quarterback Conner Harrell, tailback Henry Rutledge, center Jonny King, and a handful of depth pieces on the offensive line, the play-calling by Fitch is among the worst in college football.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 15 Nov. 2025
The Grandview defensive star — making his prep debut at tailback — ran through several tackles, trucked another defender and then stiff-armed the safety en route to the end zone to make it 25-15.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2025
Bills tailback James Cook had gotten some room on the left side of the field and tried to fight for some extra yards with his team already down.
—Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tailback
Cite this Entry
“Tailback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailback. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
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