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

Remittances sent home by migrant workers have emerged as the backbone of Nepal’s economy in recent times, which values around 30% of GDP. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024

Only sustained public voices will give lawmakers the backbone to stand up to the utilities. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024

Customer Service Customer service is the backbone of any successful, trustworthy company. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Here is a celebrated example from a ninth-century waka poem, the brief verse of 31 syllables that forms the backbone of classical Japanese poetry. —Paul S. Atkins, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2024

Volunteers are the backbone of democracy and civil society. —Jennifer Sirangelo, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

This combo is the backbone of so many of Chris’s dishes. —Julia Turshen, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024

But the backbone of his coalition for many years has actually been the ultra-Orthodox political parties. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2024

Converted hotels have served as the backbone of the work. —Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2024

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)