rear

1 of 4

verb

ˈrir 

 transitive sense 4 & intransitive sense 2 are also  ˈrer

reared; rearing; rears

transitive verb

1

: to erect by building : construct

2

: to raise upright

3

a(1)

: to breed and raise (an animal) for use or market

(2)

: to bring to maturity or self-sufficiency usually through nurturing care

reared five children

birds rearing their young

b

: to cause (plants) to grow

4

: to cause (a horse) to rise up on the hind legs

intransitive verb

1

: to rise high

2

of a horse : to rise up on the hind legs

rearer noun

rear

2 of 4

noun

ˈrir 

1

: the back part of something: such as

a

: the unit (as of an army) or area farthest from the enemy

b

: the part of something located opposite its front

the rear of a house

c

: buttocks

2

: the space or position at the back

moved to the rear

rear

3 of 4

adjective

ˈrir 

: being at the back

the rear entrance

rear

4 of 4

adverb

ˈrir 

: toward or from the rear

—usually used in combination

a rear-driven car

Synonyms

Verb

• breed
• bring up
• foster
• nourish
• nurse
• raise

Noun

• back
• reverse
• tail

Adjective

• aft
• after
• back
• hind
• hinder
• hindmost
• posterior
• rearward

Choose the Right Synonym for rear

lift, raise, rear, elevate, hoist, heave, boost mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position.

lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

Examples of rear in a Sentence

Verb

watched a documentary on how wolves rear their young

it took all the men in the village to rear the frame for the barn, pulling hard at the ropes until all the sides were standing

Noun

There are two bedrooms at the rear.

the rear of the car was sleekly designed

Adjective

The car's rear bumper was damaged.

go to the back of the building and look out the rear window and you'll see the eagle

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Unfortunately, real life can sometimes rear its ugly head and get in the way of what the fans and wrestlers want to happen. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025

The classism that endures to this day in the British acting world rears its ugly head here, though Philip’s effective gentrification of Richie’s voice is depicted as the making of a legend. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025

Noun

Inspired by the Bauhaus movement, the ride has geometric shapes adorning its Blu Corse Matte bodywork, coming together in the rear to create a trident, which, of course, is the marque’s logo. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2025

Finally, the power supply is plugged into the socket on the turntable’s rear before turning on the mains power. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Adjective

This eats into rear occupancy comfort, but dog comfort is more important. —Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Here, too, Russian troops have made steady gains in recent weeks, particularly the north of the town of Lyman, a railway hub and rear support base for Ukraine’s troops. —Andrew Carey and Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English reren, from Old English rǣran; akin to Old Norse reisa to raise, Old English rīsan to rise

Noun

Middle English rere, short for rerewarde rearward

Adjective

Middle English rere-, from Anglo-French rere backward, behind, from Latin retro- — more at retro

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1855, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rear

• bring up the rear
• rear admiral
• rear echelon
• rear end
• rear guard
• rear/raise its ugly head
• rear-wheel drive

Rhymes for rear

• beer
• bier
• cheer
• clear
• dear
• deer
• drear
• ear
• fear
• fier
• gear
• hear

Kids Definition

rear

1 of 3 verb

ˈri(ə)r 

1

: to put up by building : construct

2

: to raise or set on end

3

a

: to take care of the breeding and raising of

rear cattle

b

: to bring by continuous care to a stage at which one is fully grown or self-sufficient

rear children

4

: to rise high

5

: to rise up on the hind legs

the horse reared in fright

rear

2 of 3 noun

1

: the part (as of an army) or area farthest from the enemy

2

: buttock sense 2a

3

: the space or position at the back

rear

3 of 3 adjective

: being at the back