noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
US:bĭhăfˈ
US:bĭhäf
US:/bɪˈhæf/
UK:/bɪˈhɑːf/
UK:/bəˈhɑːf/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɑːf
CMU ARPABET:B IH0 HH AE1 F
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The interest, benefit, or wellbeing of someone or something.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
She appeared on behalf of the U.N. Secretary General at a conference held in behalf of the world's children.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
One's role or rightful place; stead or authority.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: when adopted by someone else
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
as the agent of or on someone's part (usually expressed as rather than);
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
on behalf of
in behalf of
the guardian signed the contract on behalf of the minor child
this letter is written on behalf of my client
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: stead, position, place, lieu
4
noun
Meaning 4
for someone's benefit (usually expressed as `in behalf' rather than `on behalf' and usually with a possessive)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
in your behalf
campaigning in his own behalf
spoke a good word in his friend's behalf
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sake, interest
History
Etymology
From Middle English bihalve (“nearby”), from Old English bī healfe (“by [his/her] side”), from bī (“by”) + healfe (“side, half”), equivalent to be- + half.
Across languages
Translations
8 source translations are retained for this English entry.