What does rear mean?
Rear is a compact word with three major roles. As a noun, it can denote the back of a person, animal, vehicle, or building and, in formal or anatomical contexts, the buttocks. It also names the last or supporting position in a group, as in “bringing up the rear.” As an adjective, rear means situated at the back, as in “rear entrance,” and can identify the final or least prominent part of something. As a verb, rear means to rise onto the hind legs, while the transitive form means to raise or build: one can rear a child, an animal, or a structure. These senses share a practical focus on what is behind, brought upward, or brought into existence. Modern usage is broadly standard in British and American English, although “rear” for the buttocks often sounds more formal or euphemistic than “bottom.” The word is especially useful because it can name a physical position, describe a relative location, and describe the act of raising something.
The back or hind part of a person, animal, object, or group; the buttocks; or the person, people, or unit at the back.
"The rear seats of the bus were already occupied."
The sense meaning buttocks is generally formal or euphemistic compared with “bottom.”
To rise onto the hind legs, or to raise, erect, construct, or bring into existence.
"The stable was built to rear young horses."
The intransitive sense usually describes a horse or other animal rising abruptly.
Situated at the back or behind something; final or least prominent in order or importance.
"They entered through a rear door beside the garden."
The adjective is commonly used for entrances, seats, windows, vehicles, and positions in a sequence.
The plural is standard but comparatively uncommon because many rear-related nouns are used in the singular.
"The rears of the wagons were painted dark green."
The same word that names the back of a building can also name a child's bottom—a remarkably literal journey from architecture to anatomy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of rear
The word descends from Old English rēre, meaning “back” or “behind,” which was inherited from Proto-Germanic *raurō. The established English noun and adjective developed from that older word, while the verb senses arose later from the established noun. Related Germanic forms include Old Norse raira, Danish raxe, and Old Saxon rero.
Related word forms
How rear is actually used
The word is standard in British and American English. “Rear” for the buttocks is usually more formal or euphemistic than “bottom,” while “rear” for the back of a building or vehicle is neutral. “Rearward” and “rearwards” express movement or position toward the back.