behest

noun

be·​hest bi-ˈhest 

bē-

1

: an authoritative order : command

The meeting was called at the senator's behest.

2

: an urgent prompting

At the behest of her friends, she read the poem aloud.

Did you know?

Behest is an ancient word: it is almost a thousand years old. It was formed from the prefix be- and the verb hātan ("to command" or "to promise"), and its Old English ancestor was used exclusively in the sense of "promise," a now-obsolete meaning that continued on in Middle English especially in the phrase "the land of behest." The "command" meaning of behest is also ancient but it's still in good use, typically referring to an authoritative order. Behest is now also used with a less weighty meaning; it can refer to an urgent prompting, as in "a repeat performance at the behest of the troupe's fans."

Synonyms

• charge
• command
• commandment
• decree
• dictate
• direction
• directive
• do
• edict
• imperative
• injunction
• instruction
• order
• word

Examples of behest in a Sentence

I only made the change at the author's behest.

Recent Examples on the Web

Belarus has long been accused of encouraging migrants to reach the Polish border, at the behest of its ally Russia, in the hopes of exposing cracks in the EU’s border-free principles and common asylum system. —Rob Picheta, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024

But there’s got to be a morning after, and reality comes knocking on the door one day at the behest of Ivan’s parents. —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024

The ouster of Eberhard and Snyder was first reported Aug. 28 by TechCrunch, which wrote that it was done at the behest of Bison and Ingka Investments, Ikea’s venture arm. —Justin Wingerter, The Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2024

Operated at the behest of a local family, guests can look forward to fresh meals prepared each day, while the island’s scenic beaches are perfect for a sunny afternoon spent lounging by the water. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, promise, command, from Old English behǣs promise, from behātan to promise, from be- + hātan to command, promise — more at hight

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing behest

• at someone's behest
• at the behest of someone

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Kids Definition

behest

noun

be·​hest bi-ˈhest 

: order entry 2 sense 5b, command

built monuments at their ruler's behest