back seat

noun

variants or less commonly backseat
1
: a seat in the back (as of an automobile)
2
: a secondary or inferior position
… the issues and concerns that have sometimes been given a back seatAl Gore
see also take a back seat

Examples of back seat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But this has to take a brief back seat for one last assault from Oliver and Marianne. Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026 The incident happened after a woman was forcefully carjacked Sunday night and the suspect drove away with her 1-year-old child still in the back seat, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Surviving was another friend, London Johnson, then 19, who was in the back seat. Nolan Clay, Oklahoman, 12 Feb. 2026 Sports have taken a bit of a back seat these past couple of days. James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for back seat

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of back seat was in 1715

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Back seat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20seat. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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