variants
or less commonly backseat
1
: a seat in the back (as of an automobile)
2
: a secondary or inferior position
… the issues and concerns that have sometimes been given a back seat …—
Al Gore
see also take a back seat
Al GoreExamples of back seat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
It is designed to save space in the back seat while still providing plenty of room for the child to grow.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
At one point, the video shows the man unbuckling his seatbelt and laying down in the back seat, before an officer, later identified as Harris, opens the door and begins allegedly punching and elbowing the man's head repeatedly.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025
With Dennis Quaid handcuffed in the back seat, the trio make proposals to create Hollywood films, TV shows, music videos, and commercials on Texas soil.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
Imagine twisting to grab something from your car’s back seat or reaching into your grocery cart to place items on the checkout conveyor belt — both movements require core mobility.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back seat 
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.
Nora Colomer, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
At one point, the video shows the man unbuckling his seatbelt and laying down in the back seat, before an officer, later identified as Harris, opens the door and begins allegedly punching and elbowing the man's head repeatedly.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025
With Dennis Quaid handcuffed in the back seat, the trio make proposals to create Hollywood films, TV shows, music videos, and commercials on Texas soil.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
Imagine twisting to grab something from your car’s back seat or reaching into your grocery cart to place items on the checkout conveyor belt — both movements require core mobility.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back seat
Dictionary Entries Near back seat
Cite this Entry
“Back seat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20seat. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share