backside

noun

back·​side ˈbak-ˌsīd 

1

informal

a

: the part of the body that a person sits on : buttocks

I slid down on my backside, heaving or rowing myself with my arms and using my good leg for steering …

—Oliver Sacks

b

: the part of the body of a four-legged animal corresponding to the buttocks : rump sense 1a

… admits she hit the dog's backside but denies hitting it on the head.

—Ann Krueger

2

or back side : the side or surface opposite the front or face of something : the farthest or reverse side : back

A tight, rocky couloir drops down the backside of the peak …

—Mike Beaudry

The guy with the clipboard pulled me over, pointed to an innocuous little knob on the back side of the engine and said it's part of the computer and needs to be replaced.

—Tom and Ray Magliozzi

3

or back side

a

: the side opposite the homestretch on a racecourse : backstretch

When challenged on the backside the final time around, Tudor Palm would have no part of it, and burst to the lead again.

—Jackie Burke

b

: the part of a playing field or court (as in football or basketball) that is away from where the main action or play is occurring

—often used before another noun

a backside tackle

c

: the final 9 holes of an 18-hole golf course

The duo had a little trouble on the backside, though, as they bogeyed the par-3 11th hole.

—Brian Girasoli

Synonyms

• behind
• booty [slang]
• bootie
• bottom
• breech
• bum
• buns
• butt
• buttocks
• caboose
• can
• cheeks
• derriere
• derrière
• duff
• fanny
• fundament
• hams
• haunches
• heinie [slang]
• hunkers
• keister [slang]
• keester
• nates
• posterior
• rear
• rear end
• rump
• seat
• tail
• tail end
• tush [slang]

Examples of backside in a Sentence

our backsides were sore after sitting on those hard benches for so long

Recent Examples on the Web

So even though pulling exercises primarily spotlight your backside, there are some moves that engage a few frontside players, too. —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 25 Apr. 2024

Other options that don’t feature silicone may not offer as much grip as this material is usually included on the backside of a pot holder to promote better grip. —Jack Byram, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2024

Motorola likely has other plans for its U.S. users later this year — no teaser yet on whether that consists of a wooden or vegan leather backside. —Florence Ion / Gizmodo, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024

The caption was made on a post featuring mostly photos of the backside of various Levi’s jean styles, inspired by the content of the song. —Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 30 Mar. 2024

One bottle will be donated to The Backside Learning Center, a charity that assists families who work on the backside of Churchill Downs caring for the thoroughbreds. —The Courier-Journal, 29 Mar. 2024

Made of waterproof and durable polyester, the pack has mesh on the backside for breathability. —Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2024

The video trailer comes on the heels of an Instagram post earlier this weekend in which Musgraves bares it all: The photo depicts her lying naked in the fetal position in a verdant field, her backside exposed to the elements. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2024

The wooden pews in the Ryman are much less amenable to concert-goers’ backsides than the old-time preacher man’s words were for the congregation’s insides. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

backside

noun

back·​side ˈbak-ˈsīd 

: buttock sense 2a

Medical Definition

backside

noun

back·​side -ˌsīd 

: buttocks

—often used in plural