backbone

noun

back·​bone ˈbak-ˈbōn 

-ˌbōn

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

backboned

ˈbak-ˌbōnd 

adjective

Synonyms of backbone

• spine

Examples of backbone in a Sentence

She is the backbone of the family.

He showed some backbone by refusing to compromise his values.

Recent Examples on the Web

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, supporting their local communities and providing essential backing for larger companies. —Blanche Lincoln, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026

Millions of boxes move through a state like Arizona every week, and for some, has become the backbone of a business or a household. —Rey Covarrubias Jr, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

The company has long invested in the technical infrastructure underpinning its feeds, creating a streaming backbone full of redundancies for Thursday Night Football and commissioning two new production trucks—nicknamed Bird and Magic—for its traveling NBA shows. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2026

Where artists like OsamaSon or Che might choose a beat with a grungy preset, ezcodylee made electric guitar riffs the backbone of his 2025 full-length Stunt and Die 3. —Vivian Medithi, Pitchfork, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for backbone

• alone
• atone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone
• dethrone

Kids Definition

backbone

noun

back·​bone -ˈbōn 

-ˌbōn

1

: the skeleton of the trunk and tail of a vertebrate that consists of a jointed series of vertebrae enclosing and protecting the spinal cord

called also spinal column

2

: the foundation or sturdiest part of something

3

: firmness of character

a coward with no backbone

backboned

-ˈbōnd 

-ˌbōnd

adjective

Medical Definition

backbone

noun

back·​bone -ˈbōn, -ˌbōn 

1

: spinal column, spine

2

: the longest chain of atoms or groups of atoms in a usually long molecule (as a polymer or protein)