Definition of behalf
on behalf of
orin behalf of
: in the interest of; also : as a representative of I wrote the letter on behalf of my client.
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on behalf of vs. in behalf of
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.
Recent Examples of behalf from the Web
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Anderson's case was filed in 2015 on behalf of six people who lived or worked near Olympic venues in Salt Lake City in 2002, including a lawyer, an author, and a college professor.
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According to Reuters, the federal grand-jury investigation in eastern Virginia is probing Flynn’s lobbying work on behalf of Turkish businessmen.
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The remaining mining jobs are dangerous and dirty, yet many workers fight for them and on behalf of the industry.
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Police at the time said Roman had apparently gotten into an argument with his girlfriend earlier in the day, and Austin came to that location on his sister's behalf.
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About 35 percent are pensioners, while 20 percent live outside the U.K. and 8 percent are described as blind trusts, which hold money on behalf of individuals.
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The suit sought class action status on behalf of all NFL cheerleaders.
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Notably, two brothers who confessed to laundering $100 million on behalf of disgraced former Rio de Janeiro Gov. Sérgio Cabral opened two companies in Malta just months before signing plea agreements with federal prosecutors.
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The real takeaway, though, is that stirring up a toxic attitude towards the press—who are asking questions and holding politicians accountable on behalf of voters—can lead to actual violence.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'behalf'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of behalf
Middle English, from by + half half, side
First Known Use: 14th century
BEHALF Defined for Kids
behalf
playDefinition of behalf for Students
: a person's interest or support He argued in my behalf.
on behalf of
orin behalf of
1 : in the interest of I speak in behalf of my friend.
2 : as a representative of I accepted the award on behalf of the whole class.
Learn More about behalf
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See words that rhyme with behalf Spanish Central: Translation of behalf Nglish: Translation of behalf for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of behalf for Arabic speakers
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