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

• 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

Bouillon, onion powder, and garlic powder give the soup some backbone and savory flavors without any heavy lifting like sautéing in a pan before adding to the slow cooker. —Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025

For Texas Roadhouse, where beef is the backbone of its menu, any relief would be welcome after feeling the undeniable pressure of an over 20% rise in cattle prices this year. —Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025

Installing a similar backbone will almost certainly be his starting point at West Ham. —Paul Taylor, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

At a moment when workforce shortages and declining productivity threaten the nation’s industrial backbone, Farley called for bold action and new partnerships to restore American leadership and innovation. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 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)