behalf

American  

[bih-haf, -hahf] / bɪˈhæf, -ˈhɑf /

idioms

1. in / on behalf of, as a representative of or a proxy for.

   On behalf of my colleagues, I address you tonight.

2. in / on someone's behalf, in the interest or aid of (someone).

   He interceded in my behalf.

---

behalf British  

/ bɪˈhɑːf /

noun

1. 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 )

---

behalf More Idioms  

1. see in behalf of.

---

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

Etymology

Origin of behalf

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

Explanation

Behalf means speaking or acting for someone. A parent can sign forms on behalf of children when they are young, but adult children can sign on behalf of their aging parents. Some people make a distinction between the meaning of the word behalf when paired with in versus on. In behalf, they argue, is used when the meaning is in the interest of someone else, but on behalf is used when speaking for someone. For example, a medical decision would be made in behalf of the patient, and you would speak on behalf of your family. The reality is that on behalf is typically used for both meanings.

Example Sentences

Under these agreements, local law enforcement officers conduct operations on ICE’s behalf, including confirmation of address and school enrollment, and then pass any information they collect to the Department of Homeland Security.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

China views its leverage over Iran—specifically its role as a top oil customer—as a “private asset to be protected,” not “spent” on behalf of others, Russel said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

A power of attorney for healthcare decisions will ensure that he has someone to act on his behalf in a medical context.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Patrick Crehan buys fuel on behalf of a 3,500 member consortium, who are mainly agricultural farmers.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

But she would quickly learn that there was even more to Timmy than a lifetime of exploits on behalf of the Soviet Union.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

• favor
• side