What is rear? Pronunciation and usage in English

The word "rear" is a wonderfully versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown of how to use it, categorized by its most common usages:

1. As a Verb (to raise a child):

• Meaning: To bring up or raise a child, especially from infancy.
• Examples:
  • "She spent her childhood being reared by her grandparents." (meaning raised)
  • "He was reared in a rural environment." (meaning brought up)
  • “It's a challenging job to rear a child.” (meaning raise)

2. As a Verb (to place something behind):

• Meaning: To position or place something at the back or behind.
• Examples:
  • “He reared his arms in protest.” (meaning raised his arms)
  • "The mechanic reared the car on the lift." (meaning lifted the car)
  • “The farmer reared the livestock to market.” (meaning moved the livestock)

3. As an Adjective (of an animal – young):

• Meaning: Concerning young animals (typically livestock) that are being raised.
• Examples:
  • “The rear of the herd was grazing peacefully.” (referring to the young animals at the back)
  • “The farmer inspected the rear of the cattle.” (referring to the young cattle)

4. As an Adjective (of a vehicle, indicating the back):

• Meaning: Relating to the back of a vehicle.
• Examples:
  • "The rear window was cracked." (referring to the back window)
  • “The police followed the car from the rear.” (referring to the back of the car)

5. As an Adjective (of a building or other structure, indicating the back):

• Meaning: Relating to the back side or extension of a building.
• Examples:
  • “The rear entrance of the building was less crowded.” (relating to the back entrance)

6. (Less Common) As a Verb – to push back or cause to retreat:

• Meaning: To push someone or something back; to make retreat.
• Examples:
  • “The enemy soldiers were reared from the trenches.” (meaning pushed back)
  • "He was reared from the room in anger." (meaning told to leave)

Tips for Using "Rear":

• Context is key: The meaning of "rear" depends entirely on the context.
• Synonyms: Consider synonyms to avoid repetition and add variety to your writing. For raising a child: bring up, raise, nurture. For placing something: position, place, move.

---

Resources for Further Learning:

• Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rear
• Collins Dictionary: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/rear

Would you like me to:

• Give you more examples of specific usage?
• Help you craft a sentence using "rear" in a particular way?