backed; backing; backs
1
a
: to support by material or moral assistance
backing a candidate for governor
—often used with upback up a friend in a fight
b
: substantiate
—often used with up
needs to back up her argument with evidence
c
: to assume financial responsibility for
back a new company
d
: to provide musical accompaniment for
—often used with up
a singer backed up by a guitarist
2
a
: to cause to go back (see back entry 2 sense 1a) or in reverse
back the car into the garage
b
: to articulate (a speech sound) with the tongue farther back : to form deeper within the mouth
3
a
: to furnish with a rear part : to furnish with a back (see back entry 1 sense 2)
back a skirt with stiff material
b
: to be at the rear part of : to be at the back (see back entry 1 sense 2) of
a row of garages back the building
1
: to move backward
backed into a parking space
—often used with upback up to give him some space
Let's back up a little to clarify what we're saying.
2
of the wind
: to shift counterclockwise compare veer entry 1 sense 2
3
: to have the rear part facing in the direction of something
The house backs onto a golf course.
see also:
plural -s
1
: one that supports
2
a
: a slaughterhouse worker who removes the back, shoulders, and base of the tail of a hide from a carcass
b
: a worker who reinforces parts of shoes (such as vamps, uppers, or straps) by pasting in pieces of lining material
c
: a worker who forms the ridges to which covers are hinged at the back of rounded book bodies
3
: material used for backing
specifically
: a piece of canvas, flannel, or other material used to reinforce parts of linings or uppers of shoes
4
: a strap usually of sennit secured to a ship's yard and carrying a thimble through which an earing runs
5
American football, informal
: linebacker
Left outside linebacker Mike Vrabel will most likely have to move inside to replace Seau, with right outside backer Rosevelt Colvin shifting to the left side.—
Michael Silver, Sports Illustrated, 4 Dec. 2006
Michael Silver, Sports Illustrated, 4 Dec. 2006Synonyms of back
Examples of back in a Sentence
Verb
I'm backing him for President.
She backed the winner of the race and won a lot of money.
She backed her argument with written evidence.
She backed the singer on the guitar.
She backed into a parking space.
She backed out of the garage.
The dog kept growling but backed off cautiously.
back a skirt with stiff material
Recent Examples on the Web
Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Escalante Sandoval then approached the parked van, removed a key concealed in the gas cap and backed it up, allowing a group of people to move three deep freezers from the van into the bed of the truck and load them with packages.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026
Back in February, a federal judge ruled that key provisions of the law could go into effect, a decision backed by retailers who supported the legislation.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Say what needs saying, then back it with one steady move.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Phelan even backed Cornyn during the runoff.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Escalante Sandoval then approached the parked van, removed a key concealed in the gas cap and backed it up, allowing a group of people to move three deep freezers from the van into the bed of the truck and load them with packages.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026
Back in February, a federal judge ruled that key provisions of the law could go into effect, a decision backed by retailers who supported the legislation.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Say what needs saying, then back it with one steady move.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for back
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
back
1 of 4 noun1
a
: the rear part of the human body especially from the neck to the end of the spine
b
: the corresponding part of a four-footed or lower animal
2
: the part of something that is opposite or away from the front part
3
: something at or on the back for support
back of a chair
4
a
: a position in some games (as football or soccer) behind the front line of players
b
: a player in this position
back
2 of 4 adverb1
a
: to, toward, or at the rear
b
: in or into the past : ago
c
: in or into a reclining position
d
: under control : in check
held back
2
: to, toward, or in a place from which a person or thing came
3
: in return or reply
write back
talk back
back
3 of 4 adjective1
a
: being at or in the back
back door
b
: distant from a central or main area
back roads
2
: not yet paid : overdue
back rent
3
: no longer current
back issues of a magazine
back
4 of 4 verb1
: to give aid or support to
2
: to move or cause to move back or backward
3
: to shift in a counterclockwise direction
the wind backed around
4
: to provide with a back
backer
noun
Medical Definition
back
noun1
a
: the rear part of the human body especially from the neck to the end of the spine
b
: the corresponding part of a lower animal (as a quadruped)
c
2
: the part of the upper surface of the tongue behind the front and lying opposite the soft palate when the tongue is at rest
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