Definition & Meaning of "tail"

Tail

NOUN

the part of the body of an animal, a bird or a fish that sticks out at the back, which can move

Example

The monkey 's tail helps it swing from tree to tree.

My friend 's lizard can detach its tail when threatened.

The kangaroo uses its tail for balance while hopping.

a person's rear

arse

ass

backside

behind

bottom

Informal

Example

After a long hike, her tired tail was grateful for a comfortable seat.

Sitting on that hard bench all day made his tail sore.

She slipped on the ice and landed on her tail with a yelp.

the time of the last part of something

any projection that resembles the tail of an animal

the rear part of a ship

The rear section of an aircraft, comprising the horizontal and vertical stabilizers, essential for maintaining stability and control in flight

Example

The mechanics checked the tail of the aircraft for any signs of wear and tear.

The tail section houses important navigation and communication equipment.

Pilots rely on the tail to help guide the aircraft smoothly during landing.

the opposite side of a coin that typically displays a design or image

reverse

a spy employed to follow someone and report their movements

the bottom edge of the book's pages or the lower part of the book's spine

What is the "tail"?

The tail refers to the bottom edge of a book’s pages or the lower part of the book’s spine. It is the edge opposite the head, which is the top edge. and can be an important aspect of the book’s design and binding. In bookbinding, the tail is where the book’s spine and pages come together at the bottom, and it can affect how the book sits on a shelf and is handled.

to tail

VERB

to follow closely with the aim of catching or observing

Transitive: to tail sb/sth