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 Web
Cassie Gill, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026
Long before there was a cool club, the tailgate kept people from going into college football games.
—Mac Engel
february 7, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
From yoga to tailgating Prior studies have identified many other activities that can qualify as serious leisure, depending on the level of engagement.
—Emily Messina, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2026
Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Would a new or used truck shell, with or without a tailgate tent extension, make more sense?
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailgate
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Noun
Upon arrival, guests immediately tucked into cocktails and a gourmet take on tailgate classics—think chicken fingers and meatballs, as well as fan-favorite big dill and chicken caesar pizzas from Aldi.
—Cassie Gill, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026
Long before there was a cool club, the tailgate kept people from going into college football games.
—Mac Engel
february 7, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
What’s more, all that accomplishes is annoying and angering the driver who is being tailgated.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
From yoga to tailgating Prior studies have identified many other activities that can qualify as serious leisure, depending on the level of engagement.
—Emily Messina, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Super Bowl 2025 ticket prices On Location has official Super Bowl tickets that are guaranteed by the NFL and are included as part of packages with options like open bars, tailgate food and pregame parties.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Would a new or used truck shell, with or without a tailgate tent extension, make more sense?
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailgate
Cite this Entry
“Tailgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailgate. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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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