tailing

noun

tail·​ing ˈtā-liŋ How to pronounce tailing (audio)
Synonyms of tailingnext
1
: residue separated in the preparation of various products (such as grain or ores)
—usually used in plural
2
: the part of a projecting stone or brick inserted in a wall

Synonyms of tailing

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Examples of tailing in a Sentence

the reporter's constant tailing of the candidate resulted in an exclusive scoop
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.
Walker scored when Nick Castellanos tried and failed to make a diving catch on Winn’s tailing fly to right field. — ABC News, 8 May 2026 Europe learned this lesson the hard way after a series of tailings disasters prompted stringent EU controls. — Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 31 Jan. 2026 When sulfide ore and its waste tailings are exposed to air and moisture, sulfuric acid compounds can create acidic drainage, contaminating lakes, rivers, and groundwater. — Stephanie Pearson, Outside, 17 Mar. 2026 After all, Zinc, phosphate, and even coal mines all over the globe have abundant rare earth elements in their tailings that are comparable to low-grade conventional deposits. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tailing

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tailing was in 1764

Rhymes for tailing

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Browse Nearby Words

tail house
tailing
tail joist
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Cite this Entry

“Tailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tailing

Nglish: Translation of tailing for Spanish Speakers

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