Dictionary

1piggyback

adverb pig·gy·back \ˈpi-gē-ˌbak\

Definition of PIGGYBACK

1
:  up on the back and shoulders
2
:  on or as if on the back of another; especially :  on a railroad flatcar

Variants of PIGGYBACK

pig·gy·back also pick·a·back \ˈpi-gē-, ˈpi-kə-\
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Origin of PIGGYBACK

alteration of earlier a pick pack, of unknown origin
First Known Use: 1565

2piggyback

noun

: the act of carrying someone on your back or shoulders

Full Definition of PIGGYBACK

1
:  the act of carrying piggyback
2
:  the movement of loaded truck trailers on railroad flatcars

Variants of PIGGYBACK

piggyback also pickaback

First Known Use of PIGGYBACK

circa 1590

3piggyback

adjective

Definition of PIGGYBACK

1
:  marked by being up on the shoulders and back <a child needs hugging, tussling, and piggyback rides — Benjamin Spock>
2
:  carried or transported piggyback: as
a :  of or relating to the hauling of truck trailers on railroad flatcars
b :  being or relating to something carried into space as an extra load by a vehicle (as a spacecraft)

Variants of PIGGYBACK

piggyback also pickaback

First Known Use of PIGGYBACK

1823

4piggyback

verb

: to be carried by or connected to something else or to cause (something) to be carried by or connected to something else

Full Definition of PIGGYBACK

transitive verb
1
:  to carry up on the shoulders and back
2
:  to haul (as a truck trailer) by railroad car
3
:  to set up or cause to function in conjunction with something larger, more important, or already in existence or operation
intransitive verb
:  to function or be carried on or as if on the back of another

Variants of PIGGYBACK

piggyback also pickaback

First Known Use of PIGGYBACK

1952
PIGGYBACK Defined for Kids

piggyback

adverb or adjective pig·gy·back \ˈpi-gē-ˌbak\

Definition of PIGGYBACK for Kids

:  on the back or shoulders <The child wanted a piggyback ride.>

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