tailback

noun

tail·​back ˈtāl-ˌbak How to pronounce tailback (audio)
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 On top of the 100-yard rushing performance against a top defense, the 5-foot-9 tailback went up and skied for a touchdown pass lobbed to him in the end zone. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2024 After catching passes and returning kicks for the University of San Diego, where he was named special teams player of the year as a senior, Ken began his coaching career at USC, where his dad played tailback for the Trojans in the mid-1950s. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 With a closing on March 3, former Humboldt all-state tailback Leon Hushcha’s impassioned paintings exhibition protesting Russian’s invasion of Ukraine at the Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis has set attendance records. Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2024 Other Heisman contenders include Ohio State tailback Keith Byars, UM quarterback Bernie Kosar, and Brigham Young quarterback Robbie Bosco. C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 However the offense – loaded with first-rounders like receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts and tailback Bijan Robinson, who play with a very formidable line – appears to be the sleeping giant. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024 Because the Cowboys have a winning culture and returning playmakers, including star tailback Ollie Gordon. 12. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024 But after spending a small fortune to upgrade an offensive line that surrendered 52 sacks over 17 games, watching tailback Javonte Williams look run down, and wondering if 2020 first-round draft choice Jerry Jeudy will ever be all that, are the Broncos any closer to championship contention? Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2024 The Niners have the best and most versatile tailback in The League in Christian McCaffrey. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tailback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tailback was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near tailback

Cite this Entry

“Tailback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailback. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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!