Link Centre Dictionary

behalf

be·half

UK/bɪˈhɑːf/ US/bɪˈhæf/ common

noun

1.

as the agent of or on someone''s part (usually expressed as "on behalf of" rather than "in behalf of")

  • “the guardian signed the contract on behalf of the minor child”
  • “this letter is written on behalf of my client”
2.

for someone''s benefit (usually expressed as `in behalf'' rather than `on behalf'' and usually with a possessive)

  • “in your behalf”
  • “campaigning in his own behalf”
  • “spoke a good word in his friend”

Origin

From Middle English bihalve (“nearby”), from Old English bī healfe (“by [his/her] side”), from bī (“by”) + healfe (“side, half”), equivalent to be- + half.

Phrases

  • in behalf of
  • on behalf of

Related words

Broader terms

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.