1
: a board or gate at the rear of a vehicle that can be removed or let down (as for loading)
2
[from the custom of seating trombonists at the rear of trucks carrying jazz bands in parades]
: a jazz trombone style marked by much use of slides to and from long sustained tones
3
US
: tailgate party
Nowadays, tailgates have evolved into mobile feasts: face-to-face social networks where complete strangers bond over food and drink, and everyone is eager to share.—
Greg Ferro
Greg Ferro
tailgated; tailgating
1
: to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle
2
US
: to have a tailgate party
: to drive dangerously close behind
tailgater
noun
US
: relating to or being a tailgate party
Examples of tailgate in a Sentence
Verb
He hit the car in front of him because he was tailgating.
They started tailgating at 10 o'clock.
Recent Examples on the WebMark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
Get The Recipe 24 of 40 Country Captain Chicken
This mighty chicken is packed with flavor from an array of spices and a hearty tomato sauce.
Get The Recipe
25 of 40
Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder
This hearty and creamy chowder belongs at every Southern tailgate.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
On the latest episode of their New Heights podcast, Travis was quick to defend himself
Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce have a brotherly rivalry on the field, and at the tailgate.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Semifinal and national championship game ticket holders are invited to the tailgate on Saturday, April 6, and Monday, April 8.
—Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024
The automaker says that the electronic latch mechanism used to open the gate of some 2020-2024 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra truck beds might short circuit if water gets into the tailgate.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024
General Motors has expanded an earlier recall of its trucks over a faulty tailgate to include 820,000 vehicles sold in the U.S. and Canada.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 1 Mar. 2024
Tailored for vehicles with a tailgate that swings up, the CARSULE is capable of turning your car into a living space in a snap.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2024
The team also installed a laminated sunroof, darkened the windows, added a one-piece opening tailgate, and finished the exterior in Rolls-Royce Mason Black paint.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024
Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 21 Jan. 2024
There was also a line for tailgating around 9 a.m.
What does Arrowhead Stadium look like?
Arrowhead Stadium could be seen covered in snow from the field to the seats eight hours before kickoff.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2024
The couple got to Green Bay seven hours before game time to tailgate with several members of the Milwaukee-area Chiefs fan group, as well as members of fellow Chiefs fan groups nationwide, who were also in town for the game.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2024
In the atmosphere of professional and college sports, where everything from physicality to finances has become more extreme, why not tailgating?
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2024
Some like to journey every year to Sturgis, South Dakota for the motorcycle rally, others tailgate at college and pro football games.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Jason Kelce tailgates with Bills fans Before stripping down to his bare chest during Sunday's playoff game, Jason tailgated with Bills fans outside Highmark Stadium.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Jan. 2024
That means not speeding or tailgating other cars, among other things.
—The Arizona Republic, 18 Jan. 2024
Even during the Ravens’ soggy, meaningless game against the Steelers in Week 18, there many fans were, tailgating just the same in the rain.
—Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2024
Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024
Since then, he's been a chef for the Pacers, a travel caterer for IndyCar and a tailgate chef for the 2022 College Football National Championship.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Feb. 2024
The father-son duo made the trek from Chelsea just to come tailgate on the hallowed grounds of pregame fans before the watch party at Ford Field, with Ryan Eisley’s mother and girlfriend.
—Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024
Hosted by Guy Fieri, this free family friendly event is open to 10,000 fans of all ages and welcomes them to over 15 restaurants, Triple D specials, dozens of bars, tons of tailgate fun and surprise guests.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 3 Jan. 2024
Super Bowl 2024 ticket prices On Location has official Super Bowl tickets that are guaranteed by the NFL and included as part of packages with options like open bars, tailgate food and pregame parties.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Jan. 2024
The third-row seats can flip backward into a tailgate mode for stationary, rear-facing seating.
—Mike Austin, Car and Driver, 15 Apr. 2023
Murch, Jennings and the hundreds of others who were enjoying the green space on Saturday provided an ample example of how well such a tailgate space will be received.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2023
Wear the sporty round-toe shoes with jeans during tailgate season or with a midi dress during the holiday season.
—Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2023
Noun
The tailgate also senses the fob, opening and closing automatically.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
Get The Recipe 24 of 40 Country Captain Chicken
This mighty chicken is packed with flavor from an array of spices and a hearty tomato sauce.
Get The Recipe
25 of 40
Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder
This hearty and creamy chowder belongs at every Southern tailgate.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
On the latest episode of their New Heights podcast, Travis was quick to defend himself
Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce have a brotherly rivalry on the field, and at the tailgate.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Semifinal and national championship game ticket holders are invited to the tailgate on Saturday, April 6, and Monday, April 8.
—Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024
The automaker says that the electronic latch mechanism used to open the gate of some 2020-2024 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra truck beds might short circuit if water gets into the tailgate.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024
General Motors has expanded an earlier recall of its trucks over a faulty tailgate to include 820,000 vehicles sold in the U.S. and Canada.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 1 Mar. 2024
Tailored for vehicles with a tailgate that swings up, the CARSULE is capable of turning your car into a living space in a snap.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2024
The team also installed a laminated sunroof, darkened the windows, added a one-piece opening tailgate, and finished the exterior in Rolls-Royce Mason Black paint.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024
Verb
And leading up to the game, fans tailgating outdoors and in bars and streaming into the stadium were just as jubilant.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 21 Jan. 2024
There was also a line for tailgating around 9 a.m.
What does Arrowhead Stadium look like?
Arrowhead Stadium could be seen covered in snow from the field to the seats eight hours before kickoff.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2024
The couple got to Green Bay seven hours before game time to tailgate with several members of the Milwaukee-area Chiefs fan group, as well as members of fellow Chiefs fan groups nationwide, who were also in town for the game.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2024
In the atmosphere of professional and college sports, where everything from physicality to finances has become more extreme, why not tailgating?
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2024
Some like to journey every year to Sturgis, South Dakota for the motorcycle rally, others tailgate at college and pro football games.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Jason Kelce tailgates with Bills fans Before stripping down to his bare chest during Sunday's playoff game, Jason tailgated with Bills fans outside Highmark Stadium.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Jan. 2024
That means not speeding or tailgating other cars, among other things.
—The Arizona Republic, 18 Jan. 2024
Even during the Ravens’ soggy, meaningless game against the Steelers in Week 18, there many fans were, tailgating just the same in the rain.
—Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Hirsch, grabbing his chips and drink in a tailgate lot full of 49ers fans, has felt nervous throughout the Lions season and playoffs.
—Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024
Since then, he's been a chef for the Pacers, a travel caterer for IndyCar and a tailgate chef for the 2022 College Football National Championship.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Feb. 2024
The father-son duo made the trek from Chelsea just to come tailgate on the hallowed grounds of pregame fans before the watch party at Ford Field, with Ryan Eisley’s mother and girlfriend.
—Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024
Hosted by Guy Fieri, this free family friendly event is open to 10,000 fans of all ages and welcomes them to over 15 restaurants, Triple D specials, dozens of bars, tons of tailgate fun and surprise guests.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 3 Jan. 2024
Super Bowl 2024 ticket prices On Location has official Super Bowl tickets that are guaranteed by the NFL and included as part of packages with options like open bars, tailgate food and pregame parties.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Jan. 2024
The third-row seats can flip backward into a tailgate mode for stationary, rear-facing seating.
—Mike Austin, Car and Driver, 15 Apr. 2023
Murch, Jennings and the hundreds of others who were enjoying the green space on Saturday provided an ample example of how well such a tailgate space will be received.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2023
Wear the sporty round-toe shoes with jeans during tailgate season or with a midi dress during the holiday season.
—Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tailgate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tailgate
Cite this Entry
“Tailgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailgate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tailgate
1 of 2 noun
tail·gate
ˈtā(ə)l-ˌgāt 
: a panel at the back end of a vehicle (as a station wagon) that can be let down for loading and unloading
tailgate
2 of 2 verb
tailgated; tailgating
: to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle
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