rear
1the back of something, as distinguished from the front: The porch is at the rear of the house.
the space or position behind something: The bus driver asked the passengers to move to the rear.
pertaining to or situated at the rear of something: the rear door of a bus.
Idioms about rear
bring up the rear, to be at the end; follow behind: The army retreated, and the fleeing civilian population brought up the rear.
Origin of rear
1synonym study For rear
Other definitions for rear (2 of 2)
to take care of and support up to maturity: to rear a child.
to breed and raise (livestock).
to rise on the hind legs, as a horse or other animal.
(of a person) to start up in angry excitement, hot resentment, or the like (usually followed by up).
to rise high or tower aloft: The skyscraper rears high over the neighboring buildings.
Origin of rear
2confusables note For rear
Other words for rear
Other words from rear
- un·reared, adjective
- well-reared, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for rear (1 of 2)
/ (rɪə) /
the back or hind part
the area or position that lies at the back: a garden at the rear of the house
the section of a military force or procession farthest from the front
the buttocks: See buttock
bring up the rear to be at the back in a procession, race, etc
in the rear at the back
(modifier) of or in the rear: the rear legs; the rear side
Origin of rear
1British Dictionary definitions for rear (2 of 2)
/ (rɪə) /
(tr) to care for and educate (children) until maturity; bring up; raise
(tr) to breed (animals) or grow (plants)
(tr) to place or lift (a ladder, etc) upright
(tr) to erect (a monument, building, etc); put up
(intr often foll by up) (esp of horses) to lift the front legs in the air and stand nearly upright
(intr ; often foll by up or over) (esp of tall buildings) to rise high; tower
(intr) to start with anger, resentment, etc
Origin of rear
2Derived forms of rear
- rearer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with rear
In addition to the idioms beginning with rear
- rear end
- rear its ugly head
also see:
- bring up the rear
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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