: a usually red warning light mounted at the rear of a vehicle
called also taillamp
Examples of taillight in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The front of the scooter sleekly integrates a headlight into its case, and the rear has a simple taillight.
—
Kevin Williams, Ars Technica, 1 Nov. 2023
George had introduced a variety of reforms, including eliminating cash bail and declining to prosecute cases where evidence was obtained during noncriminal traffic stops, like those for broken taillights.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 11 Oct. 2023
The prints were dated March 22, 1985—when Davis was stopped for his broken taillight.
—Time, 2 Oct. 2023
Rear taillights, borrowed from the Mercury Cougar, enhanced the car’s wide rear stance.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2023
Then on March 21, 1985, a cop noticed a defective taillight on their pickup truck and pulled them over.
—Time, 2 Oct. 2023
Read the full story The LED lighting elements in both the headlights and taillights have been revised, with more intricate designs than before.
—Car and Driver, 5 Sep. 2023
Prosecutors have said those pieces matched those missing from a broken taillight on Read’s SUV.
—Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023
None of his interactions with police was for drunk driving or any other felony offense; the final stop was for a broken taillight.
—Jack McCordick, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2023
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Kevin Williams, Ars Technica, 1 Nov. 2023
George had introduced a variety of reforms, including eliminating cash bail and declining to prosecute cases where evidence was obtained during noncriminal traffic stops, like those for broken taillights.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 11 Oct. 2023
The prints were dated March 22, 1985—when Davis was stopped for his broken taillight.
—Time, 2 Oct. 2023
Rear taillights, borrowed from the Mercury Cougar, enhanced the car’s wide rear stance.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2023
Then on March 21, 1985, a cop noticed a defective taillight on their pickup truck and pulled them over.
—Time, 2 Oct. 2023
Read the full story The LED lighting elements in both the headlights and taillights have been revised, with more intricate designs than before.
—Car and Driver, 5 Sep. 2023
Prosecutors have said those pieces matched those missing from a broken taillight on Read’s SUV.
—Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023
None of his interactions with police was for drunk driving or any other felony offense; the final stop was for a broken taillight.
—Jack McCordick, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'taillight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1844, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near taillight
Cite this Entry
“Taillight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taillight. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
taillight
noun
tail·light
ˈtā(ə)l-ˌlīt 
: a red warning light mounted at the rear of a vehicle
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