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
Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
And yet, a number of valuable interventions and nonprofits will be left behind as there are more recipients seeking fewer dollars.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 27 June 2025
Opt for vendors whose algorithms provide clear reasoning behind key decisions.
—Amiad Solomon, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Why Contacts Cause Dry Eyes Wearing contact lenses splits the tear film of your eyes into two layers, one in front of the contact and the other behind.
—Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for behind
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Adverb or adjective
The gunman got away, leaving behind a handful of 9 mm shell casings as Darrell Harris lay bleeding inside Starlight Park near the corner of Sheridan Blvd.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
And yet, a number of valuable interventions and nonprofits will be left behind as there are more recipients seeking fewer dollars.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Preposition
Another potential factor behind the hierarchy opting to let Antonio go is their focus on transitioning to a more youthful side.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 27 June 2025
Opt for vendors whose algorithms provide clear reasoning behind key decisions.
—Amiad Solomon, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
Due to the ongoing gang violence and kidnappings, many children emigrated to the U.S. with one parent, leaving the other behind.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Why Contacts Cause Dry Eyes Wearing contact lenses splits the tear film of your eyes into two layers, one in front of the contact and the other behind.
—Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 26 Apr. 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 30 Jun. 2025.
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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