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
CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
The Americans relied mostly on veterans and appeared a step behind in finishing 5-2 — with both losses to Canada — in Beijing under former coach Joel Johnson.
—John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The beloved Bravo show is entering its 17th year on the air after beginning in 2009 when Andy Cohen stepped from behind the cameras as an executive at the network to hosting and executive producing the late-night show.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
His profile, a striker who runs in-behind, was not the optimal one versus three Palace centre-backs.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for behind
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Adverb or adjective
The Bulls pulled into 59-all tie at halftime on Huerter's cutting layup after falling behind by 10 early and trailing by as much as 13 in the first quarter after the Magic went on a 14-0 run.
—CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
The Americans relied mostly on veterans and appeared a step behind in finishing 5-2 — with both losses to Canada — in Beijing under former coach Joel Johnson.
—John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Preposition
On a third-and-4 from the 50-yard line with just under nine minutes left, Jackson avoided the grasp of pass rushers Alex Highsmith and Keeanu Benton, reset and floated a pass to Zay Flowers behind the secondary to give the Ravens a 17-13 lead.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The beloved Bravo show is entering its 17th year on the air after beginning in 2009 when Andy Cohen stepped from behind the cameras as an executive at the network to hosting and executive producing the late-night show.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
Any Negative Nancies won't be singing that tune when static cling has their dress suctioned to their behinds during church.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
His profile, a striker who runs in-behind, was not the optimal one versus three Palace centre-backs.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for behind
Cite this Entry
“Behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind. Accessed 9 Jan. 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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