tailing

noun

tail·​ing ˈtā-liŋ 

1

: residue separated in the preparation of various products (such as grain or ores)

—usually used in plural

2

: the part of a projecting stone or brick inserted in a wall

Synonyms

• pursuit
• tracking
• trailing
• tracing
• chasing

Examples of tailing in a Sentence

the reporter's constant tailing of the candidate resulted in an exclusive scoop

Recent Examples on the Web

Phoenix Tailings, a startup in Massachusetts, is also among a handful of U.S. companies prepared to refine rare earths, by refining the tailings, or leftover waste, from mining companies. —Emily Feng, NPR, 23 July 2025

For comparison, earlier rovers used a brush instead to sweep debris, or tailings, out of the way. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 30 June 2025

Lack of epidemiological studies and government bureaucracy delayed cleanup efforts for surface tailings radiation, and underground contamination of aquifers. —Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

Recent research studies suggest that there is significant potential for extracting rare earth elements in the tailings. —Scott McWhorter, The Conversation, 6 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tailing

• ailing
• bailing
• baling
• failing
• flailing
• grayling
• hailing
• jailing
• mailing
• nailing
• paling
• railing