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.

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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

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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.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Nimbyism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of NIMBY

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

The bill drew fierce opposition from Nimby and other groups.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

In Aberdeenshire, Eileen West denies she is a Nimby, she says the pylons should not be built anywhere.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 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

Opposition should never be described as Nimby unless, and this is a big unless, the opposition does not offer an alternative.

From New York Times • May 14, 2010