backing

play

noun back·ing \ ˈba-kiŋ \

Definition of backing

1 :something forming a back

2 a :support, aid

b :endorsement especially of a warrant by a magistrate

See backing defined for English-language learners

See backing defined for kids

Examples of backing in a Sentence

The tape has an adhesive backing.
The project has received financial backing from several investors.

Recent Examples of backing from the Web

The city ultimately decided to revoke the rally permit on Aug. 7, a decision organizers challenged successfully in federal court, with the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union.

— chicagotribune.com, "How Charlottesville lost control amid deadly protest," 27 Aug. 2017
For Thailand, Ms. Yingluck’s departure is the end of an era, when the populist siblings ran the country with the backing of the rural poor, who repeatedly voted them into office only to see the military take power twice.

— richard c. paddock, New York Times, "Thailand’s Ex-Leader Leaves Supporters in Limbo After Disappearing During Trial," 27 Aug. 2017
However, technology start-ups and socially minded firms are leaping into peacebuilding, with the backing of governments and deep-pocketed philanthropic foundations.

— kristian hoelscher, Washington Post, "Information technology can help build peace. This is how.," 24 Aug. 2017
But if Trump’s backing of Ward discourages others from running, there’s no way of knowing whether the president’s ability to mobilize his base might actually hand the primary to Ward.

— jonathan s. tobin, National Review, "How to Give Jeff Flake’s Senate Seat to a Democrat," 18 Aug. 2017
With the backing of the president for the first time, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell finally had the means to achieve his party’s biggest policy goal.

— jeffrey lee puckett, The Courier-Journal, "McConnell's bad week gets worse as he's named one of country's "50 least powerful people"," 10 Aug. 2017
Stimpson secured the backing of four public safety unions on Wednesday - the Mobile Police Association, Mobile County Law Enforcement Association, the Mobile Firefighters Local 1349, and the Mobile Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.

— john sharp, AL.com, "Mobile mayor's race: Forums kick off as sprint begins toward Aug. 22," 4 Aug. 2017
According to a third poll conducted by Kenya’s Star newspaper, Odinga’s backing rose to 46 percent from 44 percent on July 19, while Kenyatta’s support has fallen to 47 percent from 49 percent.

— felix njini, Bloomberg.com, "Support for Kenyan Opposition Candidate Rises a Week Before Vote," 1 Aug. 2017
Several wealthy Russian oligarchs agreed to provide financial backing for the foundation’s lobbying, Akhmetshin said, providing at least $300,000.

— stephen braun, The Seattle Times, "Lobbyist at Trump meeting says he’s not with Russian intel," 14 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'backing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of backing

1745

backing Synonyms

Synonyms

abetment, aid, assist, assistance, help, boost, hand, helping hand, leg up, lift, support

Antonyms

hindrance

Near Antonyms

constraint, frustration, inhibition, interference, obstruction, repression, restraint; deterrence, discouragement

BACKING Defined for English Language Learners

backing

play

noun

Definition of backing for English Language Learners

: something that forms a back
: support or aid
: the music that is played along with someone who is singing or playing the main tune : the music that accompanies someone