behind

behind — preposition

1. at the rear of a person or thing, often so that it is partly hidden by it

1.prepositionA1
Definition

at the rear of a person or thing, often so that it is partly hidden by it

Example

The small cat hid behind the sofa during the loud thunderstorm.

behind + object blocking view

A tall man stood behind Emma in the lunch line.

position in a line

Common collocations
  • hide behind
  • stand behind
  • park behind
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

behind + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often used when the second noun blocks sight of the first. Distinguish from adverb sense 1: this preposition must be followed by an object.

Common Mistakes

The bike is behind of the shed.
The bike is behind the shed.
'behind' does not take 'of' before its object.

2. used to show who or what caused something, started it, or helped it grow

2.prepositionC1
Definition

used to show who or what caused something, started it, or helped it grow

Example

Local students were behind the push to turn the empty lot into a park.

be behind + push as driving force

A broken water pipe was behind the flood in the basement.

be behind + event cause

Common collocations
  • be behind a plan
  • be behind a change
  • be behind a fire
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

be behind + event / plan / change

Usage Note

Subject often names a person, group, idea, or physical cause. Distinguish from sense 4: this sense is about causing or shaping something, not simply supporting it.

3. showing that you agree with someone or something and want them to succeed

3.prepositionB2
Definition

showing that you agree with someone or something and want them to succeed

Example

Most teachers at Lincoln Middle School are behind the new reading program.

be behind + program for approval

Her parents stood behind her decision to open a bakery.

support a person's decision

Common collocations
  • be behind a plan
  • be behind a leader
  • stand behind
Synonyms
  • supporting

    simple general equivalent

  • backing

    often implies stronger or more public support

Antonyms
  • against

    opposite opinion or position

Grammar Patterns

be behind + person / idea / campaign

Usage Note

Often used about public approval, practical backing, or emotional support. Distinguish from sense 3: here the subject is not the cause of the thing, but the side that supports it.

Common Mistakes

I am behind to your plan.
I am behind your plan.
no 'to' after 'behind' in this sense.

4. in baseball, with more balls than strikes already thrown to the batter

4.preposition
Definition

in baseball, with more balls than strikes already thrown to the batter

Example

By the third pitch, Lewis was already behind in the count.

fixed phrase: behind in the count

The rookie pitcher fell behind the batter after missing the zone twice.

baseball commentary pattern

Common collocations
  • behind in the count
  • fall behind the batter
Synonyms
  • down

    used in sports language for being at a disadvantage

Antonyms
  • ahead

    having the better count

Grammar Patterns

behind in the count

behind the batter

Usage Note

Common in baseball talk, especially the set phrase 'behind in the count'. It refers to the pitch count, not to physical position.

behind — adverb

behind — noun

Synonym discussion

Sense: preposition/1

For physical position, 'behind' is the normal everyday word. It can simply mean 'at the rear of', but it often also suggests that one thing is partly hidden by another: 'The cat hid behind the curtain.' 'At the back of' is more neutral and often gives a clearer location inside a space, as in 'Our seats were at the back of the hall.' 'In back of' is common in American English speech, but less usual in formal writing. 'Beyond' usually means farther away than something, not covered by it, so 'the hills beyond the lake' is different from 'the bike behind the shed.'

behind ↗at the back ofin back ofbeyond ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

'Behind' comes from Old English forms such as 'behindan' and 'bihindan'. These old forms were built from elements meaning 'by' and 'from the back'. The word first described a position at the rear of a person or thing. Later it kept that picture of being at the back, but widened to ideas of being late, not keeping up, or being the hidden cause or support of something. The informal noun sense for the part of the body you sit on also grows from the same basic idea of the rear side.