1
: a board or gate at the rear of a vehicle that can be removed or let down (as for loading)
2
[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
Greg Ferro
tailgated; tailgating
1
: to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle
2
US
: to have a tailgate party
: to drive dangerously close behind
tailgater
noun
US
: relating to or being a tailgate party
Examples of tailgate in a Sentence
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
ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
The seat back can also be fixed with a forward lean so that the rear bench can be used as a tailgate lounge, offering a way of backing into a great view and enjoying it from the comfort of the vehicle.
—New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026
Joe Brandt, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
While driving the five miles home, she was recorded tailgating other vehicles, swerving off the road and crossing over into the on-coming lane, according to the Daily Mail.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
C.c. Weiss
march 24, New Atlas, 24 Mar. 2026
International visitors and owners socialized in the car parks; tailgate style, picnicking from the back of SUVs.
—Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailgate
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Noun
Make food more fun from parties, tailgates and beyond.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
The seat back can also be fixed with a forward lean so that the rear bench can be used as a tailgate lounge, offering a way of backing into a great view and enjoying it from the comfort of the vehicle.
—New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Reports emerged this week that tailgating is outlawed during World Cup matches in Boston — and with parking banned at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, there will be no way for fans to tailgate outside.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
While driving the five miles home, she was recorded tailgating other vehicles, swerving off the road and crossing over into the on-coming lane, according to the Daily Mail.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Those who don't need the tailgate tent can opt for the lower tier Sleep Pack for £1,740, saving £350.
—C.c. Weiss
march 24, New Atlas, 24 Mar. 2026
International visitors and owners socialized in the car parks; tailgate style, picnicking from the back of SUVs.
—Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailgate
Cite this Entry
“Tailgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailgate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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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