behalf

noun

be·​half bi-ˈhaf 

-ˈhäf,

bē-

: interest, benefit

also : support, defense

argued in his behalf

On Behalf of vs. in Behalf of: Usage Guide

A body of opinion favors in with the "interest, benefit" sense of behalf and on with the "support, defense" sense. This distinction has been observed by some writers but overall has never had a sound basis in actual usage. In current British use, on behalf (of) has replaced in behalf (of); both are still used in American English, but the distinction is frequently not observed.

Phrases

on behalf of or in behalf of

: in the interest of

also : as a representative of

I wrote the letter on behalf of my client.

Examples of behalf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His results spoke on his behalf. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025

Davis sued the Mansfield school district on behalf of Black students in 1955, and a federal appeals court ruled in their favor. —Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2025

Not on his wife’s behalf but, rather, for the fact that he’d been given this luxury, had spent his life tending to his mind in the space that his wife had cleared for him. —Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025

The Cut mentioned the bombshell lawsuit Williams's ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, filed on her behalf in June. —Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from by + half half, side

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing behalf

• in behalf of someone
• in someone's behalf
• on behalf of someone
• on someone's behalf

Rhymes for behalf

• carafe
• digraph
• distaff
• falstaff
• giraffe
• subgraph
• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph
• epitaph

Kids Definition

behalf

noun

be·​half bi-ˈhaf 

-ˈhȧf

: useful aid : support

spoke in my behalf