- tailgate⇄adj. of or designating a style of jazz used in playing the trombone, characterized by extensive use of slides (so called from the place of trombone players on a truck during parades).
Ex. tailgate blues, a tailgate trombone. - tailgate⇄noun 1. a board at the back of a wagon, truck, or station wagon that can be let down or removed when loading or unloading.
Ex. They have a leisurely barbecue, using the tailgate of a station wagon as the buffet table (Sunset).
2. (Especially - tailgate⇄tailgate, noun, verb, -gated,-gating,adjective.
- tailgate⇄v.i., v.t. 1. to drive a truck or car too close to the one ahead of it.
2. (U.S.) to serve or eat a meal or refreshments on the tailgate of a station wagon.
Ex. Tailgating started ... at Ivy League games, where alumni would serve genteel picn