Definition

1. Adverb:

   • On the back or shoulders or astraddle on the hips: Describes the manner of carrying someone, especially a child, on one's back or shoulders.
   • On a railroad flatcar: Describes the method of transporting one vehicle, like a truck trailer, by carrying it on a railroad car.

2. Noun:

   • The act of carrying something piggyback: Refers to the instance or method of carrying a person or transporting a load in this manner.

3. Verb:

   • Bring into alignment with; attach or add to something existing: To add or attach something, such as an idea or amendment, to a larger, pre-existing item or system so it benefits from or moves with it.
   • Support on the back and shoulders; carry someone on one's back: To carry a person, typically a child, on one's back or shoulders.
   • Haul by railroad car: To transport a loaded truck trailer or other vehicle on a railroad flatcar.
   • Ride on someone's shoulders or back: To be carried in the piggyback manner.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:

  • She carried her child piggyback up the hill.
  • The trailer was transported piggyback across the country.

• Noun:

  • He gave his tired son a piggyback for the last part of the walk.

• Verb:

  • They plan to piggyback the new amendment onto the existing bill.
  • He piggybacked her child so she could see the show over the crowd.
  • The company piggybacks shipping containers on trains for efficiency.
  • The little girl loves to piggyback on her father's shoulders.

Advanced Usage

• "Piggyback on" (phrasal verb): To use something that already exists, such as an idea, system, or success, to help or advance something else.
  • The startup hoped to piggyback on the larger company's distribution network.
  • Her research piggybacked on the groundbreaking work of her predecessor.

Variants and Related Words

• Piggyback ride (n): A common phrase for an instance of carrying someone on one's back.
  • Can I have a piggyback ride, Dad?
• Piggybacking (gerund/noun): The action or practice of carrying piggyback or adding something to an existing system.
  • The piggybacking of trailers on trains reduces highway congestion.

Synonyms

• Adverb/Verb (for carrying): On one's back, shoulders.
• Verb (for adding to): Append, attach, tack on, hitch a ride on.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Piggyback onto/on: To attach something to or take advantage of something larger or already in motion.
  • We can piggyback our marketing campaign onto the upcoming festival.

Related Idioms

• Get a free ride / Hitch a ride: While not exact synonyms, these idioms share the conceptual idea of benefiting from an existing effort or system, similar to the figurative use of "piggyback."
  • The small brand tried to hitch a ride on the trend started by its competitor.

Adverb

1. on the back or shoulder or astraddle on the hip
   • she carried her child piggyback
2. on a railroad flatcar
   • the trailer rode piggyback across the country

Noun

1. the act of carrying something piggyback

Verb

1. bring into alignment with
   • an amendment to piggyback the current law
2. support on the back and shoulders
   • He piggybacked her child so she could see the show
3. haul by railroad car
4. haul truck trailers loaded with commodities on railroad cars
5. ride on someone's shoulders or back