backing

noun

back·​ing ˈba-kiŋ 

plural backings

1

: something forming a back

a tape with adhesive backing

2

a

: support, aid

financial backing

… sectarian or ethnic warlords battling for territory, with the backing of sponsors from neighboring countries.

—Aparisim Ghosh

b

: the music that is played along with someone who is singing or playing the main tune : the music that accompanies the lead musician

… she plans to record the songs with the backing of an orchestra.

—Cortney Harding

c

: endorsement especially of a warrant by a magistrate

Synonyms

• support
• assistance
• assist
• help
• boost

Examples of backing in a Sentence

The tape has an adhesive backing.

The project has received financial backing from several investors.

Recent Examples on the Web

What else to expect at 2025's Americana Honors & Awards Buddy Miller will return as the leader of the Americana awards' all-star backing band, which will include Don Was, The McCrary Sisters, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke and Larry Campbell. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 15 Aug. 2025

The backing gained volume and intensity while Clemons blared over the top, riffing over the verse chords until a sudden pivot sent the music into a new key and an entirely new chord pattern. —Peter Ames Carlin, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025

Rare Skill When Connections Aren’t Enough Brian Chesky’s early Airbnb pitch, even with incubator backing, failed to raise capital. —Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

The store carries some fresh fruits and vegetables, like potatoes, onions and packages of refrigerated grapes and strawberries, but organizers are hoping for loans and other financial backing to expand their offerings. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for backing

• blacking
• clacking
• cracking
• hacking
• jacking
• lacking
• packing
• racking
• sacking
• slacking
• smacking
• snacking

Kids Definition

backing

noun

back·​ing ˈbak-iŋ 

1

: something forming a back

2

a

: support entry 2, aid

b

: musical accompaniment

c

: endorsement sense 3, approval

Medical Definition

backing

noun

back·​ing ˈbak-iŋ 

: the metal portion of a dental crown, bridge, or similar structure to which a porcelain or plastic tooth facing is attached