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
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
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2024
Katya, her husband, mother, grandmother and two children fled last autumn during a brief lull between heavy air strikes, leaving everything behind.
—Unicef Usa, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Molly Gibbs, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
The Buffs, behind soon-to-be first-round pick Shedeur Sanders, are first in the Big 12 and eighth nationally with 320.2 yards per game — and have only gotten better as the season has progressed.
—Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
To start with the obvious, there’s really no way to fully see our behinds and know exactly where that sharp blade is going.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for behind 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adverb or adjective
However, the company has been left behind by SK Hynix in developing next-generation chips, which have become integral components for AI silicon leader Nvidia.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2024
Katya, her husband, mother, grandmother and two children fled last autumn during a brief lull between heavy air strikes, leaving everything behind.
—Unicef Usa, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Preposition
Mah is currently trailing behind Jessica Speiser in the race for her seat on the county’s board of education.
—Molly Gibbs, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
The Buffs, behind soon-to-be first-round pick Shedeur Sanders, are first in the Big 12 and eighth nationally with 320.2 yards per game — and have only gotten better as the season has progressed.
—Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
When Yellowstone left off, Rip (Cole Hauser) was preparing to lead the cowboys to Texas and leave Beth (Kelly Reilly) behind, but viewers won't be surprised to find out that their separation doesn't last long.
—Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
To start with the obvious, there’s really no way to fully see our behinds and know exactly where that sharp blade is going.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for behind
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 1 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share