noun
C2
Proficient
behest
bih-HEHST
Behest (noun) means a command or authoritative request, especially in the phrase "at the behest of.". Example: “The new policy was introduced at the behest of the board.”
noun
1
A command or authoritative request, especially in the phrase "at the behest of."
"And young Mr. Fleetwood Vibe was here at the behest of his father, Wall Street eminence Scarsdale Vibe, who was effectively bankrolling the Expedition."
— Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day (2007)
"The Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is to meet with the BBC director general, Mark Thompson, at the behest of the Premier League in a bid to resolve their long-running feud."
— Owen Gibson, The Guardian (2011)
"The new policy was introduced at the behest of the board."
"the House of Representatives will try to water down even this feeble effort at the behest of the unions whose members enjoy some of the most lavish policies."
— , What a waste (2009)
How to use behest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn order or request from someone in authority.
When to use it
Formal; mostly seen in the fixed phrase "at the behest of."
Common pairings
at the behest of
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Word forms
- Plural
- behests
- Third person singular
- behests
- Past tense
- behested
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The new policy was introduced at the _____ of the board.
Etymology
From Old English behǣs ("vow, promise"), which merged in meaning over time with the sense of a command or order.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “behest” mean?
The word “behest” means a command or authoritative request, especially in the phrase "at the behest of.". In plain terms, an order or request from someone in authority.
How do you pronounce “behest”?
“Behest” is pronounced bih-HEHST (/bɪˈhɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “behest” in a sentence?
Here is “behest” used in a sentence: “The new policy was introduced at the behest of the board.”
What part of speech is “behest”?
“Behest” is a noun.
Where does the word “behest” come from?
The word “behest” comes from Old English. From Old English behǣs ("vow, promise"), which merged in meaning over time with the sense of a command or order.
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