noun
Etymology
Origin of behest
before 1000; Middle English bihest ( e ), Old English behǣs promise. See be-, hest
Explanation
Behest is an authoritative command or request. If your boss or principal asks to see you, you go to their office at their behest. Behest rhymes with "request" and they almost mean the same thing, if you give your request a little authoritative oomph, just a tad bit of "or else." Another difference between these words is that you can't use behest as a verb: You can't behest someone. You act according to their behest. The root word here is the Old English hehaes, means "a vow."
Vocabulary lists containing behest
Romeo and Juliet
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This Week in Words: August 6 - 10, 2018
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Beowulf vocabulary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At the behest of new Angels pitching coach Mike Maddux, Soriano has reduced his sinker usage to 30% this season.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner announced the teen's cause of death and released her autopsy report, which had been barred from public disclosure at the police's behest.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
He set his sights on Greenland, apparently at the behest of a cosmetics heir pal.
From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026
Doherty began working at Reason in 1994, according to the publication’s obituary, left the company and returned in 2000 at the behest of Nick Gillespie, then editor in chief.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026
There is no real reason for tear glands to overproduce tears at the behest of emotion.
From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
