backside

noun

back·​side ˈbak-ˌsīd How to pronounce backside (audio)
1
informal
a
: the part of the body that a person sits on : buttocks
I slid down on my backside, heaving or rowing myself with my arms and using my good leg for steering …Oliver Sacks
b
: the part of the body of a four-legged animal corresponding to the buttocks : rump sense 1a
… admits she hit the dog's backside but denies hitting it on the head.Ann Krueger
2
or back side : the side or surface opposite the front or face of something : the farthest or reverse side : back
A tight, rocky couloir drops down the backside of the peak …Mike Beaudry
The guy with the clipboard pulled me over, pointed to an innocuous little knob on the back side of the engine and said it's part of the computer and needs to be replaced.Tom and Ray Magliozzi
3
or back side
a
: the side opposite the homestretch on a racecourse : backstretch
When challenged on the backside the final time around, Tudor Palm would have no part of it, and burst to the lead again.Jackie Burke
b
: the part of a playing field or court (as in football or basketball) that is away from where the main action or play is occurring
often used before another noun
a backside tackle
c
: the final 9 holes of an 18-hole golf course
The duo had a little trouble on the backside, though, as they bogeyed the par-3 11th hole.Brian Girasoli

Examples of backside in a Sentence

our backsides were sore after sitting on those hard benches for so long
Recent Examples on the Web Shoulder discomfort ahead of the 2021 season has since led two surgeries, first in 2021 to repair a capsular tear in his right shoulder and clean out the backside of the joint and then another in 2022 for right shoulder arthroscopic bursectomy. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2024 Stormy Robles, another employee, said the Airport Inn’s nine full-time employees live on the backside of the hotel. Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 19 Feb. 2024 When folded, the bunny’s front will show on one side, while his backside, complete with fluffy tail, shows on the backside of the tea towel. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2024 Carrington was on the backside in position for a potential tip but Wahl blocked that attempt eight-tenths of a second left. Journal Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2024 Teams are selling out their defense to suffocate the Suns’ superstar duo and daring the outlets (or release valves) to beat them on the backside. Shane Young, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Very excited that that festering, bottle blonde, pustule dangling off the backside of the House of Representatives was unhappy with it. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2024 As Embiid finished his warm-up for an afternoon on his backside, Nicky and his family huddled with other Sixers fans above the West tunnel, the shortest distance to the away locker room, waving that sign, leaning over hopefully, hoping to get his jersey signed. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2024 The Greenfield-Central team, coaches and student section made a beeline for Mullins, who fell on his backside in the right corner of the court. The Indianapolis Star, 27 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backside.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of backside was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near backside

Cite this Entry

“Backside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backside. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

backside

noun
back·​side ˈbak-ˈsīd How to pronounce backside (audio)

Medical Definition

backside

noun
back·​side -ˌsīd How to pronounce backside (audio)
: buttocks
often used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on backside

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!