backbench
IPA: bˈækbɛntʃ
noun
- A bench at the back of a room or seating area.
- (politics, UK, New Zealand, often attributive) In a house of legislature following the model of the Westminster system (such as the UK House of Commons), any bench behind either of the front benches and occupied by rank-and-file members.
- The back row of a classroom.
- The back pew of a church.
- A back bench in a courtroom.
- The back seat of an automobile, van, or bus.
- A position of secondary importance.
- (newspaper, publishing) A group of top-level journalists who jointly review submissions and decide on the layout and emphasis of the newspaper.
adjective
- relating to the back benches in parliament
- Pertaining to the preparation of a donor organ prior to transplantation.
- Secondary or inactive.
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Examples of "backbench" in Sentences
- Backbencher and committee member.
- He will serve as a Labour backbencher.
- In parliament she has been a backbencher.
- Turnbull voluntarily moved to the backbench.
- He was a backbencher in the Heath government.
- Costello remained as an opposition backbencher.
- He is now a member of the opposition backbench.
- Clermont was a backbench member for the Liberals.
- He continued to serve as a government backbencher.
- Eaton served in the Liberal government as a backbencher.