tailback

noun

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

Synonyms of tailback

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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.
The Seminoles are 46th in the FBS in rushing (180 yards per game) while also needing to shuffle tailbacks. — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 While Chesney said that the injury is nothing overly serious and that the tailback could have returned to the game, the coaching staff decided to keep him sidelined as a precaution. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 Kyle Louis, a 2026 draftee Miami converted from linebacker to safety during the exhibition season, returned from injured reserve this week, and could potentially fill one of Gay’s roles, handing tight end and tailback coverage. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026 The 26-year-old, 6-foot-1, 210-pound tailback is now the fourth-leading rusher in Carolina Panthers franchise history with 4,112 yards, recently surpassing his mentor Christian McCaffrey, who notched 3,980 rushing yards with the Panthers. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026 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

Rhymes for tailback

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Browse Nearby Words

tail
tailback
tailband
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Cite this Entry

“Tailback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailback. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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