tailgate

¹

[teyl-geyt]

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

[teyl-geyt]

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

/ ˈteɪlˌɡeɪt /

noun

1. another name for tailboard

2. a door at the rear of a hatchback vehicle

verb

1. to drive very close behind (a vehicle)

Other Word Forms

• tailgater noun

Word History and Origins

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

A tailgate, for any sport, is the best pre-party you will ever go to.

From Salon

Access to the unit was considered as the investigation established from staff that entry doors were sometimes propped open and "tailgating" would also occur.

From BBC

Learner driver Teddy is recounting her fear at being tailgated by another driver mid-lesson.

From BBC

If the Consortium’s tailgate play reads as a little surreal, its official stance is anything but.

From Salon

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said that the problem was a recurring one, telling MPs that "forced entry, tailgating, and so-called jibbing, are not victimless acts".

From BBC

Related Words

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• turn