backside

noun

back·​side ˈbak-ˌsīd How to pronounce backside (audio)
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

Example Sentences

our backsides were sore after sitting on those hard benches for so long
Recent Examples on the Web As a result of these disproportional changes, a cone-like formation appears near the legs on the backside of the robot’s body. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Ars Technica, 11 Mar. 2023 Thankfully, most forks have an air chart sticker on the backside of a fork leg that will give you a good place to start. Mike Levy, Outside Online, 19 Feb. 2023 Setting up the NighWatch takes just under a minute—the original Apple Watch charger fits into a circular cutout on the backside of the glass. Hunter Fenollol, Popular Mechanics, 9 Feb. 2023 The next goal five minutes later was a clinical two-on-one, give-and-go opportunity between Radek Faksa and Tyler Seguin, concluding with Faksa tapping in a pass on the backside of the net. Peter Warren, Dallas News, 8 Feb. 2023 In one of the shots posted to Instagram, the designer's iconic double-C logo can be seen spelled out in bling on the backside of the thong-style bottoms. Wendy Geller, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2023 Only a tiny speck of blood was found on the backside of Perrault's pants, and a trace amount of gun powder residue was found on his left hand when tested. Anne-marie Green, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2023 Harrison is not that, standing at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds as a guy tailor-made to be an X-receiver one on one on the backside of the formation. Stephen Means, cleveland, 27 Jan. 2023 Freshman Nolan Russell broke the deadlock, jamming in a rebound on the backside of the play to put the Spy Ponders on the board. Cam Kerry, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Jan. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'backside.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of backside was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near backside

Cite this Entry

“Backside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backside. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

backside

noun
back·​side ˈbak-ˈsīd How to pronounce backside (audio)

Medical Definition

backside

noun
back·​side -ˌsīd How to pronounce backside (audio)
: buttocks
often used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on backside

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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