backseat — the seat behind the driver in a car
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the seat behind the driver in a car
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈbæksiːt/
Example Sentences
- My mom became a classic backseat driver, telling me to slow down every five seconds.
- The CEO decided to take a backseat and let the younger team lead the innovation.
- I found my missing phone wedged between the backseat cushions along with three French fries.
backseat
NOUN[/ˈbæksiːt/]
the seat behind the driver in a car
The kids fight loudly in the backseat while dad grips the wheel.
No need to compete from the backseat - the journey is complete.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Backseat emerged in the early 1900s with the advent of automobiles, combining the English elements 'back' (rear) and 'seat' (a place to sit). The compound initially referred literally to the rear seating area in vehicles before acquiring figurative meanings.
Breakdown
back (rear, posterior) + seat (a place to sit or be seated). The compound combines two Old English roots: 'back' from Proto-Germanic 'bakaz' and 'seat' from Old Norse 'seti', creating a self-evident descriptive term for the automobile's rear passenger area.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My mom became a classic backseat driver, telling me to slow down every five seconds.”
“The CEO decided to take a backseat and let the younger team lead the innovation.”
“I found my missing phone wedged between the backseat cushions along with three French fries.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.