View synonyms for

behalf

[ bih-haf, -hahf ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

behalf

/ ��ɪˈ��ɑː�� /

noun

interest, part, benefit, or respect (only in the phrases on ( someone's ) behalf , on or US and Canadian in behalf of , in this ( or that ) behalf )

Discover More

Usage

On behalf of is sometimes wrongly used where on the part of is intended. The distinction is that on behalf of someone means `for someone's benefit' or `representing someone', while on the part of someone can be roughly paraphrased as `by someone'. So, the following example is incorrect: another act of apparent negligence, this time not on behalf of the company itself, but on behalf of its banker , when what was meant was there was negligence by the company's banker

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of behalf¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; Middle English bihalve, earlier as adverb and preposition with the sense “near(by),” originally, as prepositional phrase bi halve “on one side”; be-, by, half

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of behalf¹

Old English be halfe from be by + halfe side; compare Old Norse af halfu

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

in / on behalf of, as a representative of or a proxy for:
On behalf of my colleagues, I address you tonight.
in / on someone's behalf, in the interest or aid of (someone):
He interceded in my behalf.

More idioms and phrases containing behalf

see in behalf of .

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

O'Neill said she was "proud" to attend the funeral "paying her respects on behalf of everyone at home who cherished his leadership and looked to him as a spiritual and moral guide".

From

Last week, however, he filed an appeal on behalf of a Venezuelan man held in Texas, arguing that it would be unconstitutional for the government to send his client to a brutal prison.

From

If he is successful, it's due to Texas law's broad definition of legitimate "self-defense," which was passed by Republican lawmakers acting on behalf of gun lobbyists.

From

Where one of Gomez’s own auxiliary bishops, the late David O’Connell, fought environmental racism on behalf of Black parishioners in South L.A., stood with striking hotel workers and prayed with parishioners outside Planned Parenthood clinics.

From

He praised Pope Francis for speaking publicly on behalf of migrants, adding that he found they had much in common.

From

Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

be had Behan

Browse