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

Cooking turkey in pieces or roasting a spatchcocked turkey (removing the backbone and flattening the bird) reduces the risk of dry breast meat and also shortens your total cooking time, according to Michael Manoocheri, director of food and beverage at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in San Diego. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2025

Ex-bourbon barrels are the backbone of the scotch whisky industry, as these casks can only be used once here in America and are then sent to countries like Scotland, Ireland, and Japan to age their spirits. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 13 Nov. 2025

Indonesia lost 250,000 jobs in its backbone textile industry between 2022 and 2024 because of a deluge of Chinese imports, according to the Indonesia Fiber and Filament Yarn Producer Association — and another half-million may now be at risk. —Andy Browne, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Retail investors have been the market's backbone, the most consistent dip-buyers since 2020, a behavior forged during the pandemic rebound, the Wall Street investment bank said. —Yun Li, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2025

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)