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.
Kiffin left his former defensive coordinator the league’s top returning quarterback in Trindidad Chambliss, one of the top tailbacks in Kewan Lacy and playmaking defenders Will Echoles and Suntarine Perkins. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 In the past month the Miami Dolphins have claimed four players off the NFL waiver wire, and traded for an offensive tackle (Caedan Wallace) and a tailback (Jarquez Hunter). — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 The 5-10, 211-pound tailback played in five games last season but didn’t play an offensive snap, logging 22 special teams snaps in those appearances. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 The Eagles’ players to watch include quarterback Erick Osorio, tailback Jose Benitz and linebacker Jonathan Resendiz. — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 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 Sep. 2026.

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