Behest is a formal noun for an authoritativehaving power or recognized control; likely to be obeyed ordera command telling someone what to do or request, especially one made by someone in authoritythe power or right to give commands or make decisions.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /bɪˈhɛst/
Easy pronunciation: bih-HEST (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: hest.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Behest Meaning
an order or request from someone in authority
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an authoritative command or request
Example: At the CEO’s behest, the team postponed the launch.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using behest as a verb. It is a noun, not a verb.
- Using behest for an ordinary casual request. It usually suggests authority or official influence.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does behest mean?
Behest means an authoritative command or request, usually from someone in a position of power or influence.
Is behest formal?
Yes. Behest is a formal word and is more common in written English than in everyday conversation.
What part of speech is behest?
Behest is a noun.
Can behest mean request?
Yes, but usually a request made with authority or backed by influence, not a simple everyday request.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.