behalf

The word “behalf” means used in phrases like "on behalf of" to mean acting or speaking for someone else, in their interest. In plain terms, representing or acting for someone else's interest.

“Behalf” is pronounced bih-HAHF (/bɪˈhæf/ in IPA).

Here is “behalf” used in a sentence: “She accepted the award on behalf of the whole team.”

“Behalf” is a noun.

The word “behalf” comes from Old English. From Old English bī healfe, literally "by the side of" — the idea of standing at someone's side, representing them.

“Behalf” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

'On behalf of' means acting, speaking, or doing something for someone else, as their representative or in their interest. For example, 'She accepted the award on behalf of the whole team.' It signals that you're standing in for others rather than acting purely for yourself.

'On behalf of' means acting as someone's agent or representative, signing a form for them, for instance. 'In behalf of,' now rare and mainly American, means for the benefit of someone. Modern usage has largely merged the two, and 'on behalf of' is safe in almost every context.

'Behalf' almost always appears in the phrases 'on behalf of' or 'on someone's behalf.' For example, 'The lawyer spoke on behalf of her client,' or 'Thank you all, on behalf of the family.' It isn't used alone; it needs the surrounding phrase to make sense.