NIMBY

American  

[nim-bee] / ˈnɪm bi /

Or Nimby

abbreviation

1. not in my backyard: used to express opposition by local citizens to the locating in their neighborhood of a civic project, such as a jail, garbage dump, or drug rehabilitation center, that, though needed by the larger community, is considered unsightly, dangerous, or likely to lead to decreased property values.

---

NIMBY British  

/ ˈnɪmbɪ /

acronym

1. not in my back yard: a person who objects to the occurrence of something if it will affect him or her or take place in his or her locality

---

NIMBY Cultural  

1. Acronym for “N ot I n M y B ack Y ard.” A term for a person who resists unwanted development, such as manufacturing plants, prisons, power companies, or chemical companies in his or her own neighborhood or town.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Nimbyism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of NIMBY

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

His crusade to cut red tape and ease zoning rules has pitted him against environmentalists and Nimby activists while winning praise from developers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

“We have to develop the political will and a culture change from Nimby attitudes. The people get it.”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 22, 2019

Other shelters are still facing Nimby opposition and construction delays.

From Washington Post • Nov. 22, 2018

And anyone who points out that he has made the neighborhood less liveable for the rest of the community, will be shamed as a heartless Nimby.

From New York Times • May 8, 2018

"Whilst it's clear that Nimby attitudes thrive in outer London, we seek to explore the extent to which self-interest may overcome resistance to change," HTA Design says.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2014