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Synonyms

tailgate

1 American  
[teyl-geyt] / ˈteɪlˌgeɪt /

noun

  1. the board or gate at the back of a wagon, truck, station wagon, etc., which can be removed or let down for convenience in loading or unloading.

verb (used without object)

tailgated, tailgating

  1. to follow or drive hazardously close to the rear of another vehicle.

verb (used with object)

tailgated, tailgating

  1. to follow or drive hazardously close to the rear of (another vehicle).

adjective

  1. pertaining to or set up on a tailgate.

    a tailgate picnic before the football game.
tailgate 2 American  
[teyl-geyt] / ˈteɪlˌgeɪt /

noun

Jazz.

  1. a style of playing the trombone, especially in Dixieland jazz, distinguished especially by the use of melodic counterpoint and long glissandi.

tailgate British  
/ ˈteɪlˌɡeɪt /

noun

  1. another name for tailboard

  2. a door at the rear of a hatchback vehicle

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to drive very close behind (a vehicle)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • tailgater noun

Etymology

Origin of tailgate1

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; tail 1 + gate 1

Origin of tailgate2

First recorded in 1945–50; so called from the usual seat of trombonists in trucks carrying musicians during a parade

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The iconic Rose Bowl opened in 1922, is a national historic landmark and boasts ample tailgating opportunities, but some fans have complained about the aging venue’s uncomfortable seating and lack of modern amenities.

From Los Angeles Times

The new rules stipulate that all doors except the tailgate "shall be equipped with a mechanical release exterior door handle".

From Barron's

Complaining about it is just as much tradition as tailgating, the Lambeau Leap or mocking the New York Jets.

From The Wall Street Journal

People proffered sensible answers like "I was in a hurry" or "I wasn't paying attention to the speed limit" or "someone was tailgating me".

From BBC

They tailgate, party and eventually walk into the game.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.