interest, part, benefit, or respect (only in the phrases on (someone's) behalf, onor US and Canadianin behalf of, in this (orthat) behalf)
▶ 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
Word origin
Old English be halfe from be by + halfe side; compare Old Norse af halfu
behalf in American English
(biˈhæf; biˈhɑf; bɪˈhæf; bɪˈhɑf)
noun
support, interest, side, etc.
I speak in his behalf
Idioms:
in behalf of
on behalf of
Word origin
ME, in phrase on (mi) behalfe, on (my) side < OE be, by + healf, half, side
Examples of 'behalf' in a sentence
behalf
This means you both have to sign documents on behalf of your mother.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
People were going to inhale and exhale on behalf of a person or cause.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You should ask the school to appeal on behalf of your son.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
She also explained how she played an active role monitoring the race on behalf of her husband.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Nobody lobbied on behalf of the person who was guaranteeing the cheap lending: the taxpayer.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He would drive to the airport and make representations on the refused person 's behalf.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It's about me asking quite tough questions on behalf of the public.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
To roar on your husband 's behalf.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We will continue working on behalf of the public across the issues of human rights, equality and fairness.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We resent this on behalf of the public, but we also resent it on behalf of the police.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
At its best, journalism is a battle waged against the abuse of power on behalf of the public.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This allows named friends or relatives to deal with financial matters on behalf of a person who is no longer capable of managing their affairs.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It must also be recognized that land contains broad values, which ought to be preserved on behalf of the public.
Low, Nicholas Politics, Planning and the State (1990)
I have been granted power of attorney on behalf of my husband who has had to go into a nursing home.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
How many people have said: 'I asked this person on your behalf?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Is it being possessive, in some perverse way, on behalf of its public?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
She delivered her first speech on her husband 's behalf last November.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She said: 'We are delighted on behalf of the public that police budgets will not be cut.
The Sun (2015)
He may see you're a decent, caring guy and talk to her mother on your behalf.
The Sun (2014)
Another condemned man said he didn't want anything, but could a pizza be delivered to a homeless person on his behalf?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
By obtaining power of attorney on behalf of her mother, your partner has complete legal and administrative control of her mother's affairs.
The Sun (2016)
I am speaking on behalf of all mothers to ensure that Afghan Heroes delivers the right support.
The Sun (2009)
It's so much more satisfying to go for the simple solution: turning those who try and fail on our behalf into public enemy number one.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Should police officers, whose only reason for existence is to charge into dangerous situations on behalf of the public, be subject to health and safety laws?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Chinese translation of 'behalf'
behalf
(bɪˈhɑːf)
n
on behalf of, (US) in behalf of
(= as representative of) 代表 (dàibiǎo)
(= for benefit of) 为(為) ... 的利益 (wèi ... de lìyì)
on my/his behalf代表我/他 (dàibiǎo wǒ/tā)
Nearby words of
behalf
beginning
beginning (from) Monday
begun
behalf
behave
behaviour
behind
Related terms of
behalf
on my/his behalf
on behalf of, in behalf of
to act for or on behalf of sb
idiom
See on behalf of something or someone or on something or someone's behalf
Usage note
On behalf of is sometimes wrongly used as an alternative to on the part of. 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'.