Definition of support
transitive verb
1 : to endure bravely or quietly : bear
2a (1) : to promote the interests or cause of (2) : to uphold or defend as valid or right : advocate supports fair play (3) : to argue or vote for supported the motion to lower taxesb (1) : assist, help bombers supported the ground troops (2) : to act with (a star actor) (3) : to bid in bridge so as to show support forc : to provide with substantiation : corroborate support an alibi
3a : to pay the costs of : maintain support a familyb : to provide a basis for the existence or subsistence of the island could probably support three — A. B. C. Whipple support a habit
4a : to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop forb : to maintain (a price) at a desired level by purchases or loans; also : to maintain the price of by purchases or loans
5 : to keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage : comfort
6 : to keep (something) going
From the M-W Editors
Examples of support in a Sentence
I completely support your decision to stay.
She no longer supports the war.
The senator says that he supports the proposed legislation.
Which presidential candidate do you support?
The study is supported by the American Medical Association.
The country's citizens were asked to support the war effort.
Her friends supported her by signing her petition.
The charity supports needy families.
Bombers were called in to support the ground troops.
The planet's atmosphere cannot support human life.
Origin and Etymology of support
Middle English, from Anglo-French supporter, from Late Latin supportare, from Latin, to transport, from sub- + portare to carry — more at fare
Synonym Discussion of support
support
Definition of support
1a : the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supportedb : assistance provided by a company to users of its products customer support
2 : one that supports —often used attributively a support staff
3 : sufficient strength in a suit bid by one's partner in bridge to justify raising the suit
Examples of support in a Sentence
The team gets a lot of support from its fans.
I'd like to thank my parents for all of their love and support over the years.
He depended on his wife for emotional support.
He applied for financial support from the state.
the company's friendly support staff
Inspectors found that some of the bridge's supports were weak.
She used my arm as a support and limped to the chair.
These sneakers are designed to give your feet extra support.
First Known Use of support
14th century
SUPPORT Defined for English Language Learners
support
playDefinition of support for English Language Learners
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: to agree with or approve of (someone or something)
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: to show that you approve of (someone or something) by doing something
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: to give help or assistance to (someone or something)
support
Definition of support for English Language Learners
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: the act of showing that you believe that someone or something is good or acceptable : approval of someone or something
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: the act of helping someone by giving love, encouragement, etc.
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: help that is given in the form of money or other valuable things
SUPPORT Defined for Kids
Definition of support for Students
supported
;supporting
1 : to hold up or in position : serve as a foundation or prop for Posts support the porch roof.
2 : to take sides with : favor Which candidate do you support?
3 : to provide evidence for : verify They cannot support this claim.
4 : to pay the costs of : maintain His income supports a large family.
5 : to keep going : sustain There is not enough air to support life.
6 : to provide help or encouragement to My friends supported me while I was sick.
supporter
nounDefinition of support for Students
1 : the act of supporting : the condition of being supported
2 : someone or something that supports
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of support
1: to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for
2: to maintain in condition, action, or existence support respiration support life
support
Medical Definition of support
1: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported respiratory support
2: supporter
Law Dictionary
support
Legal Definition of support
1a : to promote the interests or cause of b : to uphold or defend as valid or right c : to argue or vote for
2 : to provide with substantiation or corroboration support an alibi
3 : to provide with the means of livelihood (as housing, food, or clothing) especially in accordance with an agreement or court order
4 : to hold up or in position : maintain the physical integrity of the right to have one's land supported by the underlying land
support
Legal Definition of support
1 : the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported pledged the candidate their support
2 : a means of obtaining the necessities of life (as food, shelter, and clothing) : a source of livelihood especially in the form of alimony or child support
3 : something that provides support
Learn More about support
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See words that rhyme with support Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for support Spanish Central: Translation of support Nglish: Translation of support for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of support for Arabic speakers
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