TAILGATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does tailgate mean? 

• TAILGATE (noun)
  The noun TAILGATE has 1 sense:

1. a gate at the rear of a vehicle; can be lowered for loading

  Familiarity information: TAILGATE used as a noun is very rare.

• TAILGATE (verb)
  The verb TAILGATE has 1 sense:

1. follow at a dangerously close distance

  Familiarity information: TAILGATE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TAILGATE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A gate at the rear of a vehicle; can be lowered for loading

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

tailboard; tailgate

Hypernyms ("tailgate" is a kind of...):

gate (a movable barrier in a fence or wall)

Holonyms ("tailgate" is a part of...):

beach waggon; beach wagon; estate car; station waggon; station wagon; waggon; wagon (a car that has a long body and rear door with space behind rear seat)

motortruck; truck (an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling)

• TAILGATE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they tailgate    ... he / she / it tailgates   
Past simple: tailgated   
Past participle: tailgated   
-ing form: tailgating   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Follow at a dangerously close distance

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

it is dangerous to tailgate another vehicle

Hypernyms (to "tailgate" is one way to...):

follow (to travel behind, go after, come after)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

These cars won't tailgate

Derivation:

tailgater (a driver who follows too closely behind another motor vehicle)