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[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
tailgated; tailgating
: to drive dangerously close behind
tailgater
noun
US
: relating to or being a tailgate party
Example Sentences
Verb
He hit the car in front of him because he was tailgating.
They started tailgating at 10 o'clock.
Recent Examples on the Web
Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 7 July 2022
Among the former Tech players spotted at the tailgate included Tariq Owens and Norense Odiase from Beard’s 2019 runner-up team.
—Dallas News, 1 Feb. 2022
The last in-person homebrewers’ tailgate was in March 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic started.
—Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Sep. 2022
This is now less like a rip-roaring tailgate and more like the lobby of a mechanic’s shop after several warning lights on your dashboard went off.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 18 Nov. 2022
Open the Sierra's Midgate to unlock nine feet of space for extra-long items (that length increases to 11 feet with the tailgate down).
—Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 20 Oct. 2022
Also, the truck's back bumper is, annoyingly, nearly flush with the tailgate.
—Peter Valdes-dapena, CNN, 31 Oct. 2021
One tailgate family was championing its bacon-wrap hot dogs.
—Eric Sondheimer Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2021
Out back, the ZR2 can be optioned — on Silverado LT and up — with the Multi-Flex tailgate that first appeared on ‘21 models.
—Dallas News, 18 Sep. 2021
Dallas News, 20 Jan. 2022
As part of its Safe Road Trains for the Environment project, known as SARTRE, automakers are designing vehicle systems that would let cars safely tailgate on designated highways in a trainlike procession led by a professional driver.
—David Freedman, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2011
On Location has official Super Bowl tickets that are guaranteed by the NFL, which are included as part of packages options like open bars, tailgate food and pre-game parties.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 17 Nov. 2022
And the games also give basketball fans across the state a rare chance to tailgate in an expansive parking lot.
—Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel, 25 July 2022
Sports fans who tailgate are more likely to get drunk.
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2012
On Location has official Super Bowl tickets that are guaranteed by the NFL, which are included as part of packages options like open bars, tailgate food and pre-game parties.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 17 Nov. 2022
The Harry Potter fan who loves to tailgate needs this Igloo cooler.
—Jamie Kravitz, Woman's Day, 4 Nov. 2022
On Location has official Super Bowl tickets that are guaranteed by the NFL, which are included as part of packages options like open bars, tailgate food and pre-game parties.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 17 Nov. 2022
Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2023
And the area, which some truck owners use to hold ice and beverages for tailgate parties at football games, has a plug to allow quick drainage for easy cleaning.
—Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2023
In one story, a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader told The Times what they were told to do with unruly fans at tailgate parties or in luxury suites.
—Dallas News, 18 Feb. 2022
Aaron May, who curates the culinary lineups, works with local nonprofits to donate food from a series of these tailgate events, which run throughout the season and culminate in the Super Bowl party.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2022
Just look at these tailgate outfits below for proof.
—Jazmin Gathers, Glamour, 18 Oct. 2022
While Tuscaloosa boasts its share of famous barbecue joints and a tailgate scene envied by many, T-Town also has its share of delicious pizzerias, many of which have remained opened for several decades in the community.
—Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 3 Oct. 2022
New food offerings available at the tailgate start with the debut of sports-minded restaurant American Social, which has popular locations in downtown Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022
Keep your tailgate crowd busy with Ohio State Buckeyes 2-foot by 4-foot Solid Wood Cornhole Boards ($219.99.
—Paris Wolfe, cleveland, 5 Aug. 2022
See More
Noun
It’s getting lit and eating crawfish at a tailgate in Louisiana.
—Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 7 July 2022
Among the former Tech players spotted at the tailgate included Tariq Owens and Norense Odiase from Beard’s 2019 runner-up team.
—Dallas News, 1 Feb. 2022
The last in-person homebrewers’ tailgate was in March 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic started.
—Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Sep. 2022
This is now less like a rip-roaring tailgate and more like the lobby of a mechanic’s shop after several warning lights on your dashboard went off.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 18 Nov. 2022
Open the Sierra's Midgate to unlock nine feet of space for extra-long items (that length increases to 11 feet with the tailgate down).
—Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 20 Oct. 2022
Also, the truck's back bumper is, annoyingly, nearly flush with the tailgate.
—Peter Valdes-dapena, CNN, 31 Oct. 2021
One tailgate family was championing its bacon-wrap hot dogs.
—Eric Sondheimer Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2021
Out back, the ZR2 can be optioned — on Silverado LT and up — with the Multi-Flex tailgate that first appeared on ‘21 models.
—Dallas News, 18 Sep. 2021
Verb
Let impatient drivers pass, do not tailgate the person that just cut you off and do not allow other drivers to get under your skin.
—Dallas News, 20 Jan. 2022
As part of its Safe Road Trains for the Environment project, known as SARTRE, automakers are designing vehicle systems that would let cars safely tailgate on designated highways in a trainlike procession led by a professional driver.
—David Freedman, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2011
On Location has official Super Bowl tickets that are guaranteed by the NFL, which are included as part of packages options like open bars, tailgate food and pre-game parties.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 17 Nov. 2022
And the games also give basketball fans across the state a rare chance to tailgate in an expansive parking lot.
—Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel, 25 July 2022
Sports fans who tailgate are more likely to get drunk.
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2012
On Location has official Super Bowl tickets that are guaranteed by the NFL, which are included as part of packages options like open bars, tailgate food and pre-game parties.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 17 Nov. 2022
The Harry Potter fan who loves to tailgate needs this Igloo cooler.
—Jamie Kravitz, Woman's Day, 4 Nov. 2022
On Location has official Super Bowl tickets that are guaranteed by the NFL, which are included as part of packages options like open bars, tailgate food and pre-game parties.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 17 Nov. 2022
Adjective
The Super Bowl has long been one of Fieri's favorite events of the year, and the celebrity chef has hosted tailgate parties of a much smaller size before to celebrate his love for football and food.
—Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2023
And the area, which some truck owners use to hold ice and beverages for tailgate parties at football games, has a plug to allow quick drainage for easy cleaning.
—Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2023
In one story, a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader told The Times what they were told to do with unruly fans at tailgate parties or in luxury suites.
—Dallas News, 18 Feb. 2022
Aaron May, who curates the culinary lineups, works with local nonprofits to donate food from a series of these tailgate events, which run throughout the season and culminate in the Super Bowl party.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2022
Just look at these tailgate outfits below for proof.
—Jazmin Gathers, Glamour, 18 Oct. 2022
While Tuscaloosa boasts its share of famous barbecue joints and a tailgate scene envied by many, T-Town also has its share of delicious pizzerias, many of which have remained opened for several decades in the community.
—Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 3 Oct. 2022
New food offerings available at the tailgate start with the debut of sports-minded restaurant American Social, which has popular locations in downtown Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022
Keep your tailgate crowd busy with Ohio State Buckeyes 2-foot by 4-foot Solid Wood Cornhole Boards ($219.99.
—Paris Wolfe, cleveland, 5 Aug. 2022
See More
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.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1949, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Adjective
1962, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing tailgate
Dictionary Entries Near tailgate
Cite this Entry
“Tailgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailgate. Accessed 1 Feb. 2023.
Kids 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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