tailgate
|tail-gate|
/ˈteɪlˌɡeɪt/
rear access or close following
Etymology
'tailgate' originates from the combination of 'tail' and 'gate', where 'tail' refers to the rear part and 'gate' refers to a movable barrier.
'tailgate' was first used in the context of vehicles in the early 20th century, referring to the rear gate of a truck.
Initially, it meant the rear gate of a vehicle, but it evolved to include the act of driving closely behind another vehicle and social gatherings at the back of a vehicle.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a hinged board or closure at the rear of a vehicle, such as a truck, that can be lowered during loading and unloading.
The truck's tailgate was down to allow easy access to the cargo.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to drive closely behind another vehicle.
It's dangerous to tailgate on the highway.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/07/25 08:02