tailgate party

noun

US
: a social gathering in which food and drinks are served at or near the back end of a parked vehicle (such as a pickup truck) that usually occurs in a parking lot before or after a public event (such as a football game or concert)

Examples of tailgate party in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But despite its compact size, the cooking surface can easily handle eight to 10 burgers at a time—more than enough for a family or small tailgate party. Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 10 July 2025 But in the stands, in sports bars, at tailgate parties, on talk radio, wherever fans of various cloth gather. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025 The prize offers flights, a three-night stay, VIP tickets to the tailgate party, and a meet-and-greet with the driver. Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025 First up is a ticket check at temporary gates, taking up large parts of the parking lot where tailgate parties might usually take place. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tailgate party

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tailgate party was in 1958

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Cite this Entry

“Tailgate party.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailgate%20party. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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