Library / English Dictionary

TAILGATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Synonyms:

tailboard; tailgate

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

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)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Follow at a dangerously close distance

Example:

it is dangerous to tailgate another vehicle

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

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)

Credits