I. tailgate ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1. : a gate at the rear: as
a. : the lower gate of a canal lock
b. : a board or gate at the rear end of a vehicle that can be removed or let down for convenience in loading
c. : a heavy wooden panel pivoted to the end of a railroad freight car to form an incline from the car bottom to the rails that is used in loading
2.
[so called from the custom of seating trombonists at the rear end of trucks carrying jazz bands in parades]
: a style of jazz trombone playing (as the playing of Dixieland in ensemble) characterized by slides to and from long sustained tones, smears, and glissandi, and the playing of improvised countermelodies and rhythms often in a nonlegato manner extending through the entire range of the instrument
II. tailgate intransitive verb
: to drive too close to another vehicle for safety
transitive verb
: to follow (another vehicle) too close for safety
III. tailgate intransitive verb
: to go on a tailgate picnic (as before a football game)
IV. tail·gate ˈ ̷ ̷ ¦ ̷ ̷ adjective
Etymology: tailgate (I)
: relating to or being a picnic set up on the tailgate especially of a station wagon