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.

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verb (used without object)

tailgates, present (3rd person singular) tailgated, past participle, past tailgating present participle

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

verb (used with object)

tailgates, present (3rd person singular) tailgated, past participle, past tailgating present participle

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.

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tailgate British  

/ ˈteɪlˌɡeɪt /

noun

1. another name for tailboard

2. a door at the rear of a hatchback vehicle

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verb

1. to drive very close behind (a vehicle)

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• tailgater
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has tailgated
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have tailgated
  perfect
• are tailgating
  progressive
• has been tailgating
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is tailgating
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been tailgating
  perfect progressive
• tailgating
  participle
• am tailgating
  progressive 1st person singular
• tailgates
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had tailgated
  perfect
• were tailgating
  progressive plural
• had been tailgating
  perfect progressive
• tailgated
  simple
• was tailgating
  progressive singular
• tailgated
  participle

Future

• will tailgate
  simple
• will have tailgated
  perfect
• will be tailgating
  progressive
• will have been tailgating
  perfect progressive

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

Explanation

A tailgate is the hinged opening at the back of a pickup truck. And as a verb, to tailgate is to drive too close to another vehicle. It's dangerous to tailgate, because you might crash into the car in front of you if it stops suddenly. This verb gets its name from a vehicle's tailgate. If you're too close to the tailgate of the truck in front of you, you're tailgaiting. Another informal use of tailgate is "party in the back of a truck," especially in the parking lot of a sports arena: "Let's tailgate before the big game tomorrow!"

Example Sentences

SEL R-Line Turbos also get a heated windshield, a hands-free powered rear tailgate, 20-inch wheels and the aforementioned massage-function front seats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

Even though she’s been making the drive from Fresno to tailgate at the Rose Bowl since 1993, Hickcox-Baker was less wistful about a possible move to SoFi Stadium.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2025

It was inspired by state fairs, long summer nights and tailgate parties, made popular in the US.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2025

I opened the pickup’s tailgate and tried to drag Dad out, but the man was right.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Related Words

• cruise
• drag
• fly
• guide
• operate
• propel
• push
• ride
• run
• send
• speed
• spin
• start
• steer
• transport
• travel
• turn