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
Alejandro Martinez, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Its floral pattern recreates, in miniature, the print on the Fromental wallpaper seen in the stair hall behind.
—Andrew Sessa, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2025
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The new tariffs — adding levies of 20 percent on the European Union, 34 percent on China and more — essentially negate the logic behind the global supply chains underpinning the fashion industry.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2025
Reuters, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
The Flip Off stars Christina Haack and Heather Rae El Moussa are two of the most recent celebrities to step out in the flattering style, although the dueling HGTV personalities never quite committed to leaving the skin-tight silhouette behind in the first place.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for behind
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Adverb or adjective
Yet, without the right strategies, many organizations risk being left behind.
—Alejandro Martinez, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Its floral pattern recreates, in miniature, the print on the Fromental wallpaper seen in the stair hall behind.
—Andrew Sessa, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2025
Preposition
Not far behind him, though, is Rick with an 8 out of 10 rating.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The new tariffs — adding levies of 20 percent on the European Union, 34 percent on China and more — essentially negate the logic behind the global supply chains underpinning the fashion industry.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
On March 1, bullfighter Emilio Macias was seriously injured in the neighboring state of Tlaxcala after being pierced in the behind by a bull’s horn.
—Reuters, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
The Flip Off stars Christina Haack and Heather Rae El Moussa are two of the most recent celebrities to step out in the flattering style, although the dueling HGTV personalities never quite committed to leaving the skin-tight silhouette behind in the first place.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 20 Feb. 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 13 Apr. 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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