behalf

noun

be·​half bi-ˈhaf 

-ˈhäf, 

bē-

: interest, benefit

also : support, defense

argued in his behalf

see also:

on behalf of

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.

Examples of behalf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Making restaurant reservations on their creator’s behalf is one of the AI assistants’ most visible use cases, especially as diners face the growing headache of navigating different apps and credit card reward tiers just to book a meal. — T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026

Within predetermined restrictions, the system transfers money on your behalf rather than requiring you to open a banking app when a bill is due. — Antoine Sallis, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Then one day the version of you that performs best begins making decisions on your behalf. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

The fund is backed by the company’s Steppes Fund for Change, which in turn is funded by a per-person fee of 115 pounds (about $156) for every Steppes Travel trip booking and donated on the traveler’s behalf. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

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
• on someone's behalf

Rhymes for behalf

• carafe
• distaff
• falstaff
• giraffe
• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph
• epitaph
• hodograph
• holograph

Kids Definition

behalf

noun

be·​half bi-ˈhaf 

-ˈhȧf

: useful aid : support

spoke in my behalf