back of

preposition

US, informal

: behind

… stood leaning against a parked car out back of the building …

—Peter Goldman et al.

They now sit … just two games back of the Yankees in the wild card race.

—Steve Buckley

Synonyms of back of

• in back of
• behind

Examples of back of in a Sentence

the equipment shed is a concrete structure back of the school

Recent Examples on the Web

It was inaugurated in 1960, in time for the Olympics, and had a revolutionary design with viewing galleries at the front and back of the train that allowed passengers to take in the scenery. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026

The end goal is for member athletes to build a production career off the back of their training in the program. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026

Lyle fumbled the ball on the next play, but Meriweather fell on it near the back of the end zone. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

If something looks suspicious, contact the financial institution using the number on its official website, statement or the back of your card. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1694, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for back of

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove
• hereinabove

Kids Definition

back of

preposition

informal

: behind entry 2 sense 1

out back of the barn