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backbone



back·bone [ ˈbak-ˈbōn]



backbone   
noun
[ˈbak-ˈbōn]

Definition of backbone

1 : spinal column, spine
2 : something that resembles a backbone: such as
a : a chief mountain ridge, range, or system
b : the foundation or most substantial or sturdiest part of something
c : the longest chain of atoms or groups of atoms in a usually long molecule (such as a polymer or protein)
d : the primary high-speed hardware and transmission lines of a telecommunications network (such as the Internet)
3 : firm and resolute character
4 : spine sense 1c


Other Words from backbone
backboned \ ˈbak-​ˌbōnd \ adjective


Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Synonyms


Recent Examples on the Web


//Mid-size and small businesses, the backbone of much of India’s economy, are still suffering from the combined consequences of both reforms, economists say.
— Washington Post, "India’s economy slows, stalling once thriving manufacturing," 16 Sep. 2019
//Creating other kinds of nucleic acids with hybrid backbones, for instance, can lead to different bonding properties.
— Quanta Magazine, "Origin-of-Life Study Points to Chemical Chimeras, Not RNA," 16 Sep. 2019
//Other major distributors at TIFF also presented the sorts of mid-sized adult dramas that used to be the backbone of Hollywood.
— David Sims, The Atlantic, "Jojo Rabbit, Joker, and 5 More Movies to Look For This Fall," 16 Sep. 2019
//This supposedly tourist-friendly state claims to roll out the red carpet for visitors who are the backbone of our economy, though they do get ripped off, too.
— Steve Bousquet, sun-sentinel.com, "Tourists got ripped off in Florida. The state offered refunds, but who knew? | Steve Bousquet," 13 Sep. 2019
//Now these same looks are the backbone of Hedi Slimane’s sophomore collection for Celine, shown in March in Paris.
— Lisa Birnbach, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Return of Preppy Fashion," 27 Aug. 2019
//British malts give this beer a nice, toasty backbone.
— Gary Dzen, BostonGlobe.com, "5 beers to enjoy in Vermont," 20 Aug. 2019
//The eggs in this dish were softly scrambled with beans acting as a fulfilling backbone, chilaquiles giving a little bit of life to each bite.
— Lindsey Mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "This Mexican restaurant near U of L serves up some indulgent (and big!) food," 3 July 2019
//Ever since Firefox Quantum overhauled the browser's backbone at the end of 2017, Firefox has emphasized speed as a niche in the crowded field of competing browsers.
— Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Firefox 67 arrives with faster performance and enhanced Private Browsing features," 21 May 2019


First Known Use of backbone

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1



Dictionary Entries near backbone

backblock

backboard

back bond

backbone

backboneless

backbreak

backbreaking



More Synonyms and Antonyms ofbackbone

Synonyms & Antonyms of backbone

1 a column of bones supporting the trunk of a vertebrate animal
  • found the backbone of a fish lying on the beach

Synonyms for backbone

Words Related to backbone

2 the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship
  • it takes backbone to stand up to the kind of suffering that some cancer patients must endure

Synonyms for backbone

Words Related to backbone

Near Antonyms for backbone

Antonyms for backbone



More Definitions forbackbone

backbone

noun

English Language Learners Definition of backbone

: the row of connected bones that go down the middle of the back and protect the spinal cord
: the most important or strongest part of something
: strength and courage

backbone

noun
back·​bone | \ ˈbak-ˈbōn \

Kids Definition of backbone

1 : the column of bones in the back enclosing and protecting the spinal cord : spinal column
2 : the strongest part of something
//He is the backbone of the family.
3 : strength of character

backbone

noun
back·​bone | \ -ˈbōn, -ˌbōn \

Medical Definition of backbone

1 : spinal column, spine
2 : the longest chain of atoms or groups of atoms in a usually long molecule (as a polymer or protein)