back bench

American

noun

any of the rows of seats occupied by the backbenchers.

Etymology

Origin of back bench

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The plans come at a time when the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's own political capital with Labour MPs has been weakened, raising the prospect of back bench rebellions if their post bags are flooded with letters of protest.

From BBC

One boy near the back bench kept stabbing a finger at his phone three times, waiting, stabbing three times again, waiting.

From Literature

When there were just five of them left on the bus, Nicole finally joined Chase on the back bench.

From Literature

The new line-up has left a Lib Dem back bench comprising 39 MPs - more than twice the size of the party's representation in Parliament before July's general election, when they had 15 MPs.

From BBC

Other potential vice presidential picks including Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear have also gone on the offensive, something Buttigieg himself pointed out, rejoicing in how the number of new voices underlines the strength of the Democratic back bench.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023