support

1 of 2

verb

sup·​port sə-ˈpȯrt How to pronounce support (audio)
supported; supporting; supports

transitive verb

1
: to endure bravely or quietly : bear
2
a(1)
: to promote the interests or cause of
(2)
: to uphold or defend as valid or right : advocate
supports fair play
(3)
: to argue or vote for
supported the motion to lower taxes
b(1)
: assist, help
bombers supported the ground troops
(2)
: to act with (a star actor)
(3)
: to bid in bridge so as to show support for
c
: to provide with substantiation : corroborate
support an alibi
3
a
: to pay the costs of : maintain
support a family
b
: to provide a basis for the existence or subsistence of
the island could probably support threeA. B. C. Whipple
support a habit
4
a
: to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for
b
: to maintain (a price) at a desired level by purchases or loans
also : to maintain the price of by purchases or loans
5
: to keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage : comfort
6
: to keep (something) going
supportability noun
supportable adjective
supportive adjective
supportiveness noun

support

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported
b
: assistance provided by a company to users of its products
customer support
2
: one that supports
often used attributively
a support staff
3
: sufficient strength in a suit bid by one's partner in bridge to justify raising the suit
Choose the Right Synonym for support

support, uphold, advocate, back, champion mean to favor actively one that meets opposition.

support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

Examples of support in a Sentence

Verb I completely support your decision to stay. She no longer supports the war. The senator says that he supports the proposed legislation. Which presidential candidate do you support? The study is supported by the American Medical Association. The country's citizens were asked to support the war effort. Her friends supported her by signing her petition. The charity supports needy families. Bombers were called in to support the ground troops. The planet's atmosphere cannot support human life. Noun The team gets a lot of support from its fans. I'd like to thank my parents for all of their love and support over the years. He depended on his wife for emotional support. He applied for financial support from the state. the company's friendly support staff Inspectors found that some of the bridge's supports were weak. She used my arm as a support and limped to the chair. These sneakers are designed to give your feet extra support.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The breathable mesh also supports your insteps so your feet are always secure inside your shoes. Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024 Some unconditionally support Israel's action after the attack, saying the response defends Israel's right to exist as a nation. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for support 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'support.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French supporter, from Late Latin supportare, from Latin, to transport, from sub- + portare to carry — more at fare

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of support was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near support

Cite this Entry

“Support.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/support. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

support

1 of 2 verb
sup·​port sə-ˈpō(ə)rt How to pronounce support (audio)
-ˈpȯ(ə)rt
1
: to endure bravely or quietly : bear
2
a
: to promote the interests or cause of
b
: to uphold or defend as true or right : advocate
supports fair play
c
: to argue or vote for
support a candidate
d
: assist entry 1, help
bombers supported the ground troops
e
: to provide evidence for : verify
they cannot support the claim
3
: to pay the costs of : maintain
supports a large family
4
a
: to hold up or in position or serve as a foundation or prop for
posts support the porch roof
b
: to keep up the price of (as milk or wheat) by buying large amounts to store at a certain price
5
: to keep something going : sustain
not enough air to support life
supportable adjective
supportive
-ˈpōrt-iv How to pronounce support (audio)
-ˈpȯrt-
adjective

support

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported
b
: assistance provided by a company to users of its products
customer support
2
: someone or something that supports

Medical Definition

support

1 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for
2
: to maintain in condition, action, or existence
support respiration
support life

support

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported
respiratory support
2

Legal Definition

support

1 of 2 transitive verb
sup·​port
1
a
: to promote the interests or cause of
b
: to uphold or defend as valid or right
c
: to argue or vote for
2
: to provide with substantiation or corroboration
support an alibi
3
: to provide with the means of livelihood (as housing, food, or clothing) especially in accordance with an agreement or court order
4
: to hold up or in position : maintain the physical integrity of
the right to have one's land supported by the underlying land

support

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported
pledged the candidate their support
2
: a means of obtaining the necessities of life (as food, shelter, and clothing) : a source of livelihood especially in the form of alimony or child support
3
: something that provides support

More from Merriam-Webster on support

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!