behind
1 of 3adverb or adjective
be·hind
bi-ˈhīnd 
bē-
1
a
: in the place or situation that is being or has been departed from
stay behind
b
: in, to, or toward the back
look behind
came from behind
c
: later in time
can spring be far behind
2
3
archaic
: still to come
1
a
: in or to a place or situation in back of or to the rear of
look behind you
put behind bars
b
—used as a function word to indicate something that screens an observer
the sun went behind a cloud
c
: following in order
marched behind the band
2
—used as a function word to indicate backwardness, delay, or deficiency
behind the times
behind schedule
lagged behind last year's sales
3
a
: in the background of
the conditions behind the strike
b
: out of the mind or consideration of
put our troubles behind us
c
: beyond in depth or time
the story behind the story
go back behind St. Augustine
4
a
: in support of : on the side of
solidly behind the candidate
b
: with the support of
won 1–0 behind brilliant pitching
: buttocks
—often used as a euphemism for ass in idiomatic expressions
get your behind over here
Synonyms
Adverb or adjective
Preposition
Noun
Examples of behind in a Sentence
Preposition
The older students entered the room first with the younger students following behind them.
The cat hid behind the couch.
The sun went behind a cloud.
They were ahead of us by 5 points earlier in the game, but now they're behind us by 7.
The polls show that he is behind the other candidates.
The company is now behind the competition.
He was behind the other students in his studies.
Noun
kicked him in the behind
Recent Examples on the Web
Lars Brandle, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
But after four years of creative pivots to withstand unexpected hurdles that included financial stress, severe drought, and a global pandemic, Chang-Fleeman made a choice that many young farmers are considering: to leave farming behind.
—Eliza Milio, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
Luggage gets lost, passports get misplaced and phones may not work at international destinations when they aren't connected to Wi-Fi.
To avoid the headaches and prepare for whatever may come your way (or what accidentally gets left behind), follow these simple tips.
—USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
The risk of being left behind is too unpalatable for business leaders, and one mantra was clear as founders and tech executives discussed the topic onstage in London: Companies have to pick the right ways to use AI.
—Bypaolo Confino, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
Archaeologists were able to date the shelter by analyzing the wood left behind, officials said, suggesting it was likely built at the beginning of the 20th century, after 1902.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
Certain areas, including those that could prove crucial in November’s elections, are far behind.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024
The company’s design shop is in the Bay Area, in a cul-de-sac behind Pivotal.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Ross Chastain and Tyler Reddick are surging behind.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2024
James McClain, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024
On Tuesday, April 16, however, the Dance Moms alum opened up further about the intent behind her words while speaking to SiriusXM Hits 1.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
As if that weren’t enough, the creative team behind some of Nike’s most successful advertisements over the past 20 years has quietly left the agency to work on smaller projects.
—Adrienne So, WIRED, 17 Apr. 2024
But a closer look at the paparazzi shots may reveal another reason behind the sales slump.
—Jasmine Li, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
Kristin: An Evening with Friends for Todd saw the beloved performer pay tribute to Todd Haimes, Roundabout’s longtime artistic director and CEO, who passed away last April, leaving behind a trail of Tonys.
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024
This detective-thriller documents a homicide discovery which uncovers the sinister acts behind them.
—Ashley McDonough, Essence, 17 Apr. 2024
Artists have been split on the label’s fight with TikTok and the principles behind the move.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2024
With France on its highest level of security alert amid geopolitical turmoil in Ukraine and the Middle East, organizers behind the Paris Olympics are still going ahead with ambitious plans to host the opening ceremony along the Seine river on July 26.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Ashleigh Morley, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024
One of which being the borderline obsession with a plump behind.
—Tayler Adigun, Essence, 16 Feb. 2024
You’re dragged by the collective ears to the door before finding a boot in your behind.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024
The very first winner was hip-hop artist T-Pain, who left his trademark Auto-Tune behind to show off his pipes au naturel.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 9 Nov. 2023
In the snap, Jagger blows a kiss at the camera and places a hand on her hip while her little brother sticks out his behind.
—Staff Author, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023
Many Weibo users noted the animal’s upright posture, as well as folds of loose fur on its behind – making the bear look somewhat odd and fueling speculation that a human imposter might be masquerading in its place.
—Heather Chen, CNN, 1 Aug. 2023
When Kimmel inquired whether Momoa was wearing the malo under his clothes during their interview, the actor simply rose from his seat and began removing his apparel until he was clad only in the traditional thong-like clothing, baring his behind for the talk show host and his audience.
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 13 July 2023
García has 54 RBIs, one behind of MLB-leader Yordan Alvarez.
—Mark Didtler, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2023
Adverb or adjective
Close behind at No. 2 on the Official Chart Update is ex-Dire Straits frontman and guitarist Mark Knopfler’s One Deep River (EMI), currently fewer than 3,000 chart units behind James’ Yummy.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
But after four years of creative pivots to withstand unexpected hurdles that included financial stress, severe drought, and a global pandemic, Chang-Fleeman made a choice that many young farmers are considering: to leave farming behind.
—Eliza Milio, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
Luggage gets lost, passports get misplaced and phones may not work at international destinations when they aren't connected to Wi-Fi.
To avoid the headaches and prepare for whatever may come your way (or what accidentally gets left behind), follow these simple tips.
—USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
The risk of being left behind is too unpalatable for business leaders, and one mantra was clear as founders and tech executives discussed the topic onstage in London: Companies have to pick the right ways to use AI.
—Bypaolo Confino, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
Archaeologists were able to date the shelter by analyzing the wood left behind, officials said, suggesting it was likely built at the beginning of the 20th century, after 1902.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
Certain areas, including those that could prove crucial in November’s elections, are far behind.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024
The company’s design shop is in the Bay Area, in a cul-de-sac behind Pivotal.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Ross Chastain and Tyler Reddick are surging behind.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2024
Preposition
Screened behind stone walls and big gates, the estate features a Craftsman-style main house originally built in 1954, per tax records.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024
On Tuesday, April 16, however, the Dance Moms alum opened up further about the intent behind her words while speaking to SiriusXM Hits 1.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
As if that weren’t enough, the creative team behind some of Nike’s most successful advertisements over the past 20 years has quietly left the agency to work on smaller projects.
—Adrienne So, WIRED, 17 Apr. 2024
But a closer look at the paparazzi shots may reveal another reason behind the sales slump.
—Jasmine Li, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
Kristin: An Evening with Friends for Todd saw the beloved performer pay tribute to Todd Haimes, Roundabout’s longtime artistic director and CEO, who passed away last April, leaving behind a trail of Tonys.
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024
This detective-thriller documents a homicide discovery which uncovers the sinister acts behind them.
—Ashley McDonough, Essence, 17 Apr. 2024
Artists have been split on the label’s fight with TikTok and the principles behind the move.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2024
With France on its highest level of security alert amid geopolitical turmoil in Ukraine and the Middle East, organizers behind the Paris Olympics are still going ahead with ambitious plans to host the opening ceremony along the Seine river on July 26.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Noun
Your recovery room will likely be stocked with large, bulky pads that extend from in front of your pubic bone all the way up to your behind.
—Ashleigh Morley, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024
One of which being the borderline obsession with a plump behind.
—Tayler Adigun, Essence, 16 Feb. 2024
You’re dragged by the collective ears to the door before finding a boot in your behind.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024
The very first winner was hip-hop artist T-Pain, who left his trademark Auto-Tune behind to show off his pipes au naturel.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 9 Nov. 2023
In the snap, Jagger blows a kiss at the camera and places a hand on her hip while her little brother sticks out his behind.
—Staff Author, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023
Many Weibo users noted the animal’s upright posture, as well as folds of loose fur on its behind – making the bear look somewhat odd and fueling speculation that a human imposter might be masquerading in its place.
—Heather Chen, CNN, 1 Aug. 2023
When Kimmel inquired whether Momoa was wearing the malo under his clothes during their interview, the actor simply rose from his seat and began removing his apparel until he was clad only in the traditional thong-like clothing, baring his behind for the talk show host and his audience.
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 13 July 2023
García has 54 RBIs, one behind of MLB-leader Yordan Alvarez.
—Mark Didtler, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'behind.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to behind
Dictionary Entries Near behind
Cite this Entry
“Behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
behind
1 of 2 adverb or adjective
be·hind
bi-ˈhīnd
1
a
: in a place or time that is being or has been departed from
stay behind
left years of poverty behind
b
: at, to, or toward the back
look behind
fall behind
2
a
: not up to the general level
behind in school
b
: not keeping up to a schedule
behind in the car payments
behind
2 of 2 preposition1
: at, to, or toward the back of
look behind you
a garden behind the house
2
: not up to the level of
sales are behind those of last year
behind the rest of the class
3
a
: in the background of
the reasons behind our success
b
: in support of
we're behind you all the way
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