piggyback
piggyback Lexical Profile
piggyback Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A ride on someone's back and shoulders.
"She gave her younger brother a piggyback across the shallow stream so his shoes would stay dry."
A transportation arrangement in which one vehicle or container (such as a truck trailer) is carried on the back of another (such as a railroad flatcar).
"Shipping freight by rail piggyback reduces highway congestion and lowers long-distance fuel costs."
• verb
To attach to, build upon, or take advantage of an existing system, idea, or effort (often followed by 'on' or 'onto').
"To save money on the campaign, the small charity decided to piggyback on the city's annual marathon."
To carry or ride on someone's back and shoulders, or to transport a vehicle or object mounted on top of another.
"The rescue worker piggybacked the injured hiker down the steep mountain trail."
• adverb
On the back and shoulders of another person, or mounted on top of a larger vehicle or system.
"The father carried his tired toddler piggyback all the way home from the park."
• adjective
Mounted, carried, or operating on the back or top of someone or something else, or functioning in conjunction with a larger existing system.
"The space shuttle was transported across the country on a special piggyback flight atop a modified jumbo jet."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Originated in the 16th century as a folk-etymology alteration of 'pick-a-pack' or 'pickapack' (possibly from 'pitch' and 'pack', referring to throwing a pack onto one's shoulders), with 'pack' later reshaped to 'back' and 'pick' to 'piggy'.