Caboose

/kəˈbuːs/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A railroad car that is at the end of a freight train, typically containing the conductor's and crew's quarters.

The crew gathered in the caboose to discuss the next leg of their journey.

A car on a train that provides accommodations for the train's crew and has a platform for observing the train's progress.

As the train sped along the tracks, passengers could see the bright red caboose at the rear.

A term used informally to refer to a person or thing that is last or least important in a group.

During the team meeting, Clara felt like the caboose, as all the talk seemed to revolve around the leaders.

Origin unknown; possibly derived from the Dutch word 'kabouse' or from the French word 'cabouse'.

Caboose (figurative):

Refers to something at the back or end of something.

A humorous reference to the buttocks.

She joked about her caboose needing a workout.

To emphasize someone being last in a group.

Don't be a caboose on this project; we need everyone to contribute!