tailgate

noun tail·gate \ ˈtāl-ˌgāt \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Examples: tailgate in a Sentence

Definition of tailgate

1 : a board or gate at the rear of a vehicle that can be removed or let down (as for loading)

[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

See tailgate defined for English-language learners

See tailgate defined for kids

Recent Examples of tailgate from the Web

The 377 Fire that burned over 4,500 acres in Navajo County reportedly started because of a vehicle dragging a tailgate and causing sparks.

— kimberly rapanut, azcentral, "What to take away from Arizona's 2018 wildfire season so far," 13 June 2018
The video shows Vick instructs Rodriguez to put his hands on the back of his pickup truck and taps on the tailgate.

— guillermo contreras, San Antonio Express-News, "The Texas DPS is sharing lists of traffic citations with federal immigration authorities," 11 June 2018
The pregame tailgate had to be close to 1,000 strong.

— mike anthony, courant.com, "Mike Anthony: Wesleyan National Championship Result Of University Commitment, Takes Place At Home Of Top Supporter Bill Belichick," 28 May 2018
The surveillance video showed him driving away south on North 40th Avenue in what appeared to be a white Chevy S-10 with a dark colored tailgate.

— wayne k. roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Here's the story of the hurricane ... shutter thief," 9 May 2018
Theft The tailgate of a Ford F-250 pickup truck was stolen sometime between 10 p.m. April 20 and 3:30 a.m. April 21 in the 16700 block of Barcelona Drive, police said.

— Houston Chronicle, "Police investigate pair of kick-in burglaries," 30 Apr. 2018
Fans flock in from an average of 30 states and participate in tailgates, parties and promotional events like El Matador’s at the bank.

— brian straus, SI.com, "United States of El Tri: Mexico Owns America's World Cup Spotlight," 30 May 2018
These programs offer counseling and substance-free housing, as well as sober social events ranging from tailgates to trips.

— NBC News, "A growing number of sober programs support college students recovering from addiction," 29 May 2018
His incredibly detailed, award-winning work was featured on motorcycles, truck tailgates, pick-up trucks, boats and tractor trailers in Connecticut and throughout New England.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Clifford Raymond Canfield," 17 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tailgate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of tailgate

1854

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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tailgate

verb

Definition of tailgate

tailgated; tailgating

intransitive verb

1 : to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle

2 US : to have a tailgate party

transitive verb

: to drive dangerously close behind

—

tailgater

noun

See tailgate defined for English-language learners

Examples of tailgate in a Sentence

He hit the car in front of him because he was tailgating.
They started tailgating at 10 o'clock.

Recent Examples of tailgate from the Web

Bonus: Campers can take full advantage of tailgating with family and friends (old and new) throughout the weekend.

— taysha murtaugh, Country Living, "Everything You Need to Know Before Attending a Country Music Festival," 1 June 2018
In a construction zone, the vehicle tailgated the car in front of it and then accelerated at a reckless speed, causing deputies to engage in a pursuit.

— sara cardine, latimes.com, "Crime Report: Vehicle possibly related to earlier home break-in evades capture during pursuit," 23 May 2018
Camping is a big part of it, tailgating is a big part of it, music is a big part of it.

— annie alleman, chicagotribune.com, "NASCAR returns to Joliet's Chicago Speedway," 13 May 2018
Likewise, motorist recommendations include giving motorcycles room to ride, never try to share a lane, use rearview mirrors and check blind spots before changing lanes, do not tailgate a motorcycle, and don’t drive distracted.

— wayne k. roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Look twice, it's Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month | Dash Cam Derby Video," 2 May 2018
Never tailgate — leave enough space between your vehicle and others in front, back and on the sides.

— as told to tanya mohn, New York Times, "How to Deliver Packages Safely, for 55 Years," 27 Apr. 2018
According to US Weekly, the star made a 911 call while in Bolivia, North Carolina after she was reportedly being tailgated by a male driver.

— morgan m. evans, Fox News, "'Teen Mom' star Jenelle Evans reportedly pulls out gun with son in car during road rage incident," 2 May 2018
People will be invited to tailgate as early as 10 a.m. Thursday — a full nine hours before NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to take the stage (likely to a chorus of boos from Dallas Cowboys fans) and announce the first pick.

— gordon dickson, star-telegram, "Going to the NFL Draft? Follow these tips to beat the traffic and snag a parking spot at AT&T Stadium | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 24 Apr. 2018
The gates open at 5 p.m. Saturday, but fans can park and begin tailgating at 3 p.m. Admission is free, and fans are urged to bring non-perishable food items to benefit Grove Outreach.

— susan miller degnan, miamiherald, "Spring game lets UM fans see N'Kosi Perry and early enrollees in action for first time | Miami Herald," 13 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of tailgate

1949

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

tailgate

adjective

Definition of tailgate

: relating to or being a tailgate party

Recent Examples of tailgate from the Web

Add on a prep board for the ultimate campsite, party, or tailgate accessory.

— Sunset, "10 Gourmet Gifts for Foodie Dads," 22 Jan. 2018
Post time for the first race is 1:30 p.m., and tailgate picnics are encouraged.

— maryanna skowronski, The Aegis, "Maryland's steeplechase season kicks off Saturday, April 7, with Elkridge-Harford races," 2 Apr. 2018
Perfect for settling tailgate bets (and dating yourself as an old Brewers fan).

— chris foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "11 new baseball books that will help get you ready for opening day," 22 Mar. 2018
That means fans must drink their fill in advance at local bars or at tailgate gatherings in parking lots.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "Vexing NCAA tournament rule will fuel more beer drinking in uptown Charlotte | Charlotte Observer," 16 Mar. 2018
This is tailgate central, where folks picnic and party while teams pass by.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Here are 6 of the best places to view the Iditarod ceremonial start," 3 Mar. 2018
Chiefs fans have more reason than most to stay in the parking lot as long as possible, not just because of the concession prices but because of the tailgate scene.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "Mellinger Minutes: Hosmer’s greatest contribution, trading Marcus Peters (?), 10 key KC athletes, and Bob Huggins," 20 Feb. 2018
Clarkson was one of the tailgate performances Sunday at Nomadic Live at The Armory.

— peter martinez, CBS News, "Super Bowl 2018: Eagles pull off stunning win over Patriots -- live updates," 5 Feb. 2018
Enough framed family pictures to cover every wall at Biltmore, including a large bridal portrait of Sissy hanging in the living room Task-Specific Coolers: the condo cooler, the fishing cooler, the tailgate cooler . . .

— Southern Living, "We'll Bet These Things Are In Your Southern Home," 20 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of tailgate

1962

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Financial Definition of TAILGATE

tailgate

verb

What It Is

Tailgating occurs when a broker buys or sells a security after doing the same for a client.

How It Works

Let's say John Doe is a broker for Jane Smith. Jane calls John and tells him she just saw a press release that Company XYZ is bringing in a new hot-shot CEO. She tells him to buy 5,000 shares of Company XYZ for her account. John executes the trade for Jane and then tailgates by buying another 5,000 shares for himself because he has been watching Company XYZ and agrees with Jane that the CEO change should be a good thing for the stockholders.

In some cases, brokers tailgate when the client's order is so large that its execution will affect the price of the security.

Why It Matters

Tailgating is not the same as frontrunning. In frontrunning, the broker executes the trade for his own account before executing the client's trade. In tailgating, the broker executes the trade for his own account after executing the client's trade. Frontrunning is illegal; tailgating is just in poor taste for many reasons, not the least of which is that the broker's job is to make money for his clients and know more than they do.

Source: Investing Answers

TAILGATE Defined for English Language Learners

tailgate

noun

Definition of tailgate for English Language Learners

: a door at the back of a vehicle (such as a station wagon or pickup truck) that opens downward and that can be lowered or removed to make it easier to load things into the vehicle