behest: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, literary
Quick answer
What does “behest” mean?
A command or authoritative request from someone in authority.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A command or authoritative request from someone in authority.
An urgent, strong, or formal request or order, often implying a sense of duty or obligation to comply. Used to describe something done at the instigation or on the orders of another.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or grammatical structure. The word is equally formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly archaic or legalistic flavour in both. Connotes authority, duty, and formality equally.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and formal in both dialects. Perhaps slightly more prevalent in UK legal/parliamentary contexts, but not significantly.
Grammar
How to Use “behest” in a Sentence
at [possessive pronoun/definite article + noun] behest (e.g., at his behest, at the king's behest)on [possessive pronoun/definite article + noun] behestVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'The merger was executed at the behest of the major shareholders.'
Academic
Found in historical/political texts. 'The policy was enacted on the behest of the ruling council.'
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound overly formal.
Technical
Occurs in legal documents. 'The assets were frozen at the behest of the court.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “behest”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “behest”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “behest”
- Using it without a possessive (incorrect: 'at behest of'; correct: 'at his behest').
- Using it as a verb (incorrect: 'He behested me to go').
- Confusing with 'behest' and 'behest' (non-existent verb form).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal, literary word most common in written English, particularly in historical, legal, or political contexts.
No, 'behest' is solely a noun. The historical verb form 'behight' is obsolete. Use 'command', 'order', or 'request' as verbs instead.
A 'behest' carries much stronger implications of authority and expectation of compliance. A 'request' can be made by anyone and can be refused.
Almost exclusively 'at' or 'on', followed by a possessive determiner (e.g., 'at my behest', 'on the king's behest'). The phrase 'at the behest of' is very common.
A command or authoritative request from someone in authority.
Behest is usually formal, literary in register.
Behest: in British English it is pronounced /bɪˈhɛst/, and in American English it is pronounced /bəˈhɛst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “At someone's beck and call (related in servitude, but not synonymous)”
- “By royal command (similar context)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a king's BEST knight acting at the king's BEHEST. 'He's the best, he follows the behest.'
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A PHYSICAL FORCE COMPELLING ACTION (at the push/behest of authority).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'behest' CORRECTLY?