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 of tailing

• 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

After all, Zinc, phosphate, and even coal mines all over the globe have abundant rare earth elements in their tailings that are comparable to low-grade conventional deposits. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 21 Apr. 2026

Twin Metals wants to build an underground copper-nickel mine, processing facility and tailings storage facility along Birch Lake, which flows into the BWCAW via the Kawishiwi River. —Jimmy Lovrien, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026

Europe learned this lesson the hard way after a series of tailings disasters prompted stringent EU controls. —Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 31 Jan. 2026

Mining sites face a similar issue, with arsenic concentrated in tailings near extraction areas. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026

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