behind

Meanings

1. 1
   prep

   At or toward the back of someone or something.

   The children were hiding behind the wall.

2. 2
   adv

   At or toward the back.

   Wherever I went, my dog followed behind.

3. 3
   prep

   Less advanced than, or later than, others.

   Smith finished the race a lap behind the others.

4. 4
   prep

   Responsible for or causing something.

   Who is behind these attacks?

From Middle English behinde, behinden, from Old English behindan (“on the back side of, behind”), from Proto-West Germanic *bihindan, *bihindini (“on the back side of, in the rear of, behind”), from Proto-West Germanic *bi- + *hindō (“the hind side, back part”), equivalent to be- + hind. Compare Old Saxon bihindan (“behind”, adverb), Middle High German behinter (“behind; back”).

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