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
Examples of behind in a Sentence
Adverb or adjective
the required work was behind, so now we're running late
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
Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
In its final throes, the company sold off its intellectual property and other assets for a measly $39 million mere weeks ago, leaving its once lofty $4 billion market cap five years ago long behind.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026
Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Dimples, khaki shorts, and the mind behind the show’s cutthroat challenges, this shirt nods to Probst and his long run as executive producer and host of Survivor.
—Brittany Anas, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Suarez lashed seven shots towards goal on his debut against Casa Pia, going closest after a stomping run in-behind the defence and a sharp shot into the side netting.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind
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Adverb or adjective
Sox pitcher Anthony Kay, who followed opener Jordan Leasure, fell behind in the count 2-0 to Yandy Díaz.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
In its final throes, the company sold off its intellectual property and other assets for a measly $39 million mere weeks ago, leaving its once lofty $4 billion market cap five years ago long behind.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026
Preposition
He is then seen slowly approaching the victim, checking his surroundings, and removing his shoes before grabbing her from behind.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Dimples, khaki shorts, and the mind behind the show’s cutthroat challenges, this shirt nods to Probst and his long run as executive producer and host of Survivor.
—Brittany Anas, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
Right-hander Jordan Romano couldn’t get another out, and the Angels had to watch the Yankees celebrate a come-from-behind, walk-off win for the second time in the series.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Suarez lashed seven shots towards goal on his debut against Casa Pia, going closest after a stomping run in-behind the defence and a sharp shot into the side netting.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind
Cite this Entry
“Behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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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