backside

noun

back·​side ˈbak-ˌsīd 

1

informal

a

: the part of the body that a person sits on : buttocks

I slid down on my backside, heaving or rowing myself with my arms and using my good leg for steering …

—Oliver Sacks

b

: the part of the body of a four-legged animal corresponding to the buttocks : rump sense 1a

… admits she hit the dog's backside but denies hitting it on the head.

—Ann Krueger

2

or back side : the side or surface opposite the front or face of something : the farthest or reverse side : back

A tight, rocky couloir drops down the backside of the peak …

—Mike Beaudry

The guy with the clipboard pulled me over, pointed to an innocuous little knob on the back side of the engine and said it's part of the computer and needs to be replaced.

—Tom and Ray Magliozzi

3

or back side

a

: the side opposite the homestretch on a racecourse : backstretch

When challenged on the backside the final time around, Tudor Palm would have no part of it, and burst to the lead again.

—Jackie Burke

b

: the part of a playing field or court (as in football or basketball) that is away from where the main action or play is occurring

—often used before another noun

a backside tackle

c

: the final 9 holes of an 18-hole golf course

The duo had a little trouble on the backside, though, as they bogeyed the par-3 11th hole.

—Brian Girasoli

Synonyms

• behind
• booty [slang]
• bootie
• bottom
• breech
• bum
• buns
• butt
• buttocks
• caboose
• can
• cheeks
• derriere
• derrière
• duff
• fanny
• fundament
• hams
• haunches
• heinie [slang]
• hunkers
• keister [slang]
• keester
• nates
• posterior
• rear
• rear end
• rump
• seat
• tail
• tail end
• tush [slang]

Examples of backside in a Sentence

our backsides were sore after sitting on those hard benches for so long

Recent Examples on the Web

Find it on Amazon Maximize Unused Air-Space With This Hanging Laundry Hamper Made of washable Oxford fabric, this Hanging Laundry Hamper has a unique backside zipper for quick unloading. —Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024

Flashing red LEDs on the backside help with visibility. —Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 2 Nov. 2024

Or use the freedom of a prepositioned phone to flip around and get some backside shots. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 11 Oct. 2024

If there is not a roadside ditch in front of the property, leaves need to be placed within 10 feet of the backside of the curb or edge of asphalt. —The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

backside

noun

back·​side ˈbak-ˈsīd 

informal

: buttock sense 2a

Medical Definition

backside

noun

back·​side -ˌsīd 

: buttocks

—often used in plural