1. the hinged gate at the back of a truck or station wagon that can be lowered for loading

1. to drive too closely behind another vehicle
2. to have a party in a parking lot before a sporting event, typically involving food and drinks served from the back of a vehicle
Usage: informal

Examples

• He lowered the truck’s tailgate to unload the furniture.
• The pickup’s tailgate was damaged in the accident.
• Don’t tailgate the car in front of you on the highway.
• The driver was ticketed for tailgating during rush hour.
• Fans began to tailgate in the stadium parking lot hours before kickoff.
• We’re tailgating before the game with burgers and beer.
• The tailgating party attracted hundreds of football fans.