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
Synonyms
Adverb or adjective
Preposition
Noun
Examples of behind in a Sentence
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
Addie Morton, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2024
During this infamous era, fashion reached its most glamorous height, reflecting the world’s eagerness to leave wartime rations and austerity measures behind.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2024
Travis Kelce Of course, Swift couldn’t leave current beau Kelce behind.
—Eva Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024
This is very much about providing an economic engine for part of the Bay Area that has been left behind by some of the job creation that's happened in other parts.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
Finger Lakes Glacial force shaped this beautiful upstate landscape, leaving behind 11 long, skinny, finger-like lakes in its wake.
—Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2024
Then, as the excavations continued around the steelworks, archaeologists found evidence the workers left behind.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024
Cream Contour Kit Palette excelled here, leaving behind a healthy glow.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024
Close behind at No. 2 on the Official Chart Update is ex-Dire Straits frontman and guitarist Mark Knopfler’s One Deep River (EMI), currently fewer than 3,000 chart units behind James’ Yummy.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 29 Apr. 2024
So Erin, what's the broader Republican strategy behind these moves?
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024
Posted up behind Power in the DJ booth was Houston producer Chase B, bopping his head and sipping on some wine, having shown up nearly four hours before his own set at the Belt.
—Waiss Aramesh, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2024
The Marlins fell behind 10-7 in the sixth as the Nationals executed a double steal that concluded with Ildemaro Vargas swiping home.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2024
There was heavy speculation that Deutsche Bank was the main culprit behind an 87% increase in complaints to Germany’s financial regulator last year.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 29 Apr. 2024
Trump and allied groups have lagged behind President Biden and his allies in the money chase.
—Josh Dawsey The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 29 Apr. 2024
Walker stabbed a liner from Jackson Merrill, behind his back in a blink, to double up Xander Bogaerts in the second.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2024
But many museum-goers complain about waiting in line for hours, the stuffy conditions, and only getting to spend a few seconds viewing the painting, which is housed behind bulletproof glass.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 28 Apr. 2024
Ashleigh Morley, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024
One of which being the borderline obsession with a plump behind.
—Tayler Adigun, Essence, 16 Feb. 2024
You’re dragged by the collective ears to the door before finding a boot in your behind.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024
The very first winner was hip-hop artist T-Pain, who left his trademark Auto-Tune behind to show off his pipes au naturel.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 9 Nov. 2023
In the snap, Jagger blows a kiss at the camera and places a hand on her hip while her little brother sticks out his behind.
—Staff Author, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023
Many Weibo users noted the animal’s upright posture, as well as folds of loose fur on its behind – making the bear look somewhat odd and fueling speculation that a human imposter might be masquerading in its place.
—Heather Chen, CNN, 1 Aug. 2023
When Kimmel inquired whether Momoa was wearing the malo under his clothes during their interview, the actor simply rose from his seat and began removing his apparel until he was clad only in the traditional thong-like clothing, baring his behind for the talk show host and his audience.
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 13 July 2023
García has 54 RBIs, one behind of MLB-leader Yordan Alvarez.
—Mark Didtler, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2023
Adverb or adjective
There is no film or residue left behind, and there is no product transfer.
—Addie Morton, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2024
During this infamous era, fashion reached its most glamorous height, reflecting the world’s eagerness to leave wartime rations and austerity measures behind.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2024
Travis Kelce Of course, Swift couldn’t leave current beau Kelce behind.
—Eva Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024
This is very much about providing an economic engine for part of the Bay Area that has been left behind by some of the job creation that's happened in other parts.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
Finger Lakes Glacial force shaped this beautiful upstate landscape, leaving behind 11 long, skinny, finger-like lakes in its wake.
—Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2024
Then, as the excavations continued around the steelworks, archaeologists found evidence the workers left behind.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024
Cream Contour Kit Palette excelled here, leaving behind a healthy glow.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024
Close behind at No. 2 on the Official Chart Update is ex-Dire Straits frontman and guitarist Mark Knopfler’s One Deep River (EMI), currently fewer than 3,000 chart units behind James’ Yummy.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
Preposition
She is now tied with the Supremes and Madonna, and sits behind Michael Jackson, Drake, Rihanna, Mariah Carey and the Beatles, who have the most No. 1s with 20.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 29 Apr. 2024
So Erin, what's the broader Republican strategy behind these moves?
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024
Posted up behind Power in the DJ booth was Houston producer Chase B, bopping his head and sipping on some wine, having shown up nearly four hours before his own set at the Belt.
—Waiss Aramesh, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2024
The Marlins fell behind 10-7 in the sixth as the Nationals executed a double steal that concluded with Ildemaro Vargas swiping home.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2024
There was heavy speculation that Deutsche Bank was the main culprit behind an 87% increase in complaints to Germany’s financial regulator last year.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 29 Apr. 2024
Trump and allied groups have lagged behind President Biden and his allies in the money chase.
—Josh Dawsey The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 29 Apr. 2024
Walker stabbed a liner from Jackson Merrill, behind his back in a blink, to double up Xander Bogaerts in the second.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2024
But many museum-goers complain about waiting in line for hours, the stuffy conditions, and only getting to spend a few seconds viewing the painting, which is housed behind bulletproof glass.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 28 Apr. 2024
Noun
Your recovery room will likely be stocked with large, bulky pads that extend from in front of your pubic bone all the way up to your behind.
—Ashleigh Morley, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024
One of which being the borderline obsession with a plump behind.
—Tayler Adigun, Essence, 16 Feb. 2024
You’re dragged by the collective ears to the door before finding a boot in your behind.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024
The very first winner was hip-hop artist T-Pain, who left his trademark Auto-Tune behind to show off his pipes au naturel.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 9 Nov. 2023
In the snap, Jagger blows a kiss at the camera and places a hand on her hip while her little brother sticks out his behind.
—Staff Author, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023
Many Weibo users noted the animal’s upright posture, as well as folds of loose fur on its behind – making the bear look somewhat odd and fueling speculation that a human imposter might be masquerading in its place.
—Heather Chen, CNN, 1 Aug. 2023
When Kimmel inquired whether Momoa was wearing the malo under his clothes during their interview, the actor simply rose from his seat and began removing his apparel until he was clad only in the traditional thong-like clothing, baring his behind for the talk show host and his audience.
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 13 July 2023
García has 54 RBIs, one behind of MLB-leader Yordan Alvarez.
—Mark Didtler, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'behind.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to behind
Dictionary Entries Near behind
Cite this Entry
“Behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
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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