different between backbench vs backbencher

English

Alternative forms

• back bench
• back-bench

Etymology

back +? bench

Adjective

backbench (not comparable)

1. relating to the back benches in parliament

2. Pertaining to the preparation of a donor organ prior to transplantation.
3. Secondary or inactive.

Noun

backbench (plural backbenches)

1. A bench at the back of a room or seating area.
   1. (politics, Britain, 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.

      His spacious quarters indicate his transition from backbench upstart to established member of the governing team.

      • 1963, Richard L. Sklar, Nigerian Political Parties: Power in an Emergent African Nation, 2004, page 400,

        There was no separate back-bench organization ; indeed there were no back-bench caucuses in any Nigerian Legislative House, and any attempt to create one would probably have been regarded by the leadership concerned as a subversive move.

      • 2009, John Coakley, Michael Gallagher, Politics in the Republic of Ireland, page 301,

        In situations of low ministerial turnover and increased professionalisation of politics, with most TDs regarding politics as a career, Taoisigh could find that impatience on the backbenches leads to calls for leadership turnover to effect promotions.

   2. The back row of a classroom.
   3. The back pew of a church.
   4. A back bench in a courtroom.
   5. The back seat of an automobile, van, or bus.
2. A position of secondary importance.
3. (newspaper, publishing) A group of top-level journalists who jointly review submissions and decide on the layout and emphasis of the newspaper.

Related terms

• backbencher

References

• “backbench”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–present.

English

Alternative forms

• back-bencher

Etymology

backbench +? -er

Noun

backbencher (plural backbenchers)

1. (politics) A Member of Parliament who does not have cabinet rank, and who therefore sits on one of the backbenches or in one of the back rows of the legislature.
2. (education) A student who does not perform well, especially one who sits at the back of the classroom.
3. (sports) A member of a team who does not usually play, but who is held in reserve.
4. (by extension) Someone who does not play an active role in a process.

Coordinate terms

• frontbencher

Translations