behalf
n. uncountablen. the act of doing something for another person or group. You use this when you represent someone else or act in their place.
n. the role of a representative or agent acting for the benefit of another. Almost exclusively used within prepositional phrases to indicate agency or interest.
I am writing to you on behalf of my client.
The lawyer spoke on behalf of the family to thank the public for their support during the trial.
While the CEO was unable to attend the summit, she sent a senior executive to negotiate on behalf of the firm's shareholders regarding the proposed merger.
From Middle English bihalve (“nearby”), from Old English bī healfe (“by [his/her] side”), from bī (“by”) + healfe (“side, half”), equivalent to be- + half.
Used almost exclusively in the phrases 'on behalf of' or 'in behalf of'. In British English, 'on behalf of' is the standard for both representation and benefit.
I am here in behalf of the companyI am here on behalf of the companyIn modern British and International English, 'on behalf of' is the standard prepositional choice for representation.