tailback

noun

tail·​back ˈtāl-ˌbak How to pronounce tailback (audio)
1
: the offensive football back farthest from the line of scrimmage
2
British : a line of vehicles caused by a traffic slowdown or stoppage

Examples of tailback in a Sentence

stuck in a five-mile tailback on the southbound carriageway
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Other tailbacks in this draft — Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, just to name a few — might have a pro career that’s just as productive as Jeanty. Omar Kelly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025 Roberson wrapped up starting tailback Darius Taylor during one inside-run rep and took him to the ground. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2025 Included in that application was a diagram of an inside zone run and a screenshot of Wisconsin’s 2019 game against Michigan when the Badgers had seven offensive linemen and two tight ends lined up at the goal line in front of tailback Jonathan Taylor. Jesse Temple, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025 Other tailbacks in this draft - Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, just to name a few - might have a pro career that’s just as productive as Jeanty. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tailback

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tailback was in 1930

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Cite this Entry

“Tailback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailback. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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