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

• chine
• spinal column
• spine
• vertebral column

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

And after glazing the turkey, the remaining glaze becomes the backbone of a simple pan sauce while the bird is resting. —People Staff, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023

Rib-Arrow Dairy weathered this year’s historic flooding in California, but long-term drought threatens the area’s agricultural backbone. —Laura Reiley, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023

But ultimately the troupe’s material — exhibited in several films, a television show, tours and albums — is still the backbone of the show. —Sopan Deb, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2023

The backbone of every season is usually a book and this one [for season two of Bosch Legacy) is The Crossing. —Demetrius Patterson, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Oct. 2023

Tapestry also has a tech backbone that Capri lacks. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2023

Small businesses, often described as the backbone of the economy, are among the hardest hit. —Jo Ling Kent, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2023

The financial backbone of the industry — linear television — is rapidly shrinking as consumers continue to cut the cord at alarming rates. —Jason Kilar, Variety, 26 Oct. 2023

Which is why poor Mary, who loves him and has tried to serve as his backbone, has been dragged down, too. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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)