tailgate
tailgate Lexical Profile
tailgate Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A hinged flap or door at the back of a truck, station wagon, hatchback, or SUV that can be lowered or opened for loading and unloading.
"He lowered the tailgate of his pickup truck so we could slide the heavy boxes into the bed."
North American An informal outdoor social gathering in which food and drinks are served from the back of parked vehicles, typically in a stadium parking lot before a sporting event or concert.
"Hundreds of fans arrived hours before kickoff to set up grills and folding chairs for the pregame tailgate."
• verb
To drive dangerously close behind another vehicle, leaving insufficient distance to stop safely.
"The impatient driver continued to tailgate us on the highway despite the heavy rain."
North American To host or attend an informal party where food and drinks are served from the back of a parked vehicle before a sporting event or concert.
"We plan to tailgate with our college friends outside the stadium before the championship game."
To follow closely behind an authorized person in order to pass through a security door, gate, or checkpoint without proper credentials.
"Employees are reminded never to let unbadged visitors tailgate behind them through the main security doors."
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the mid-18th century as an English compound of 'tail' and 'gate', originally referring to the lower gate of a canal lock or the hinged rear board of a horse-drawn wagon.