support

verb

sup·​port sə-ˈpȯrt 

supported; supporting; supports

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to promote the interests or cause of especially by action or aid

This might be the perfect time to support your local shops and grocery stores.

—Kim Komando

(2)

: to uphold or defend as valid or right : advocate

supports fair play

I support your decision to stay.

(3)

: to argue or vote for

supported the motion to lower taxes

b(1)

: assist, help

bombers supported the ground troops

The charity supports families in need.

(2)

: to act with (a star actor)

a supporting role/actor

c

: to provide with substantiation : affirm with evidence : corroborate

support an alibi

… it was impossible to find evidence to support the theory.

—David Fisher

… there is a growing body of research that supports the idea.

—Claudia Wallis

2

a

: to pay the expenses of : maintain

support a family

We support the theater by making annual donations.

b

: to provide a basis for the existence or subsistence of

The planet's atmosphere cannot support life.

… the island could probably support three …

—A. B. C. Whipple

support a habit

3

a

: to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for

Thick cables help support the bridge.

The roof is supported by wooden pillars.

b

: to maintain (a price) at a desired level by purchases or loans

also : to maintain the price of by purchases or loans

4

: to endure bravely or quietly : bear

5

: to keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage : comfort

6

: to keep (something) going

7

electronics : to allow the use of in conjunction with

a game that supports a variety of controllers

supportability

sə-ˌpȯr-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

supportable

sə-ˈpȯr-tə-bəl 

adjective

supportive

sə-ˈpȯr-tiv 

adjective

supportiveness

sə-ˈpȯr-tiv-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of support

• advocate
• endorse

Choose the Right Synonym for support

support, uphold, advocate, back, champion mean to favor actively one that meets opposition.

support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

The panda exhibit is made possible by the National Zoo’s 10-year partnership with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, through which the DC organization pays an annual fee to support conservation efforts in China. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

The United States plans to allow Iranian assets to be used to support rebuilding in Gulf countries impacted by future Iranian attacks, according to a source familiar with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s thinking. —Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 7 June 2026

But just outside George Town, that same shoreline also supports residences built not for checking in, but settling in. —Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

Designed to help support healthier teeth, better sleep, and less jaw discomfort, ClearClub makes preventative dental care simple, convenient and more affordable. —ABC News, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French supporter, from Late Latin supportare, from Latin, to transport, from sub- + portare to carry — more at fare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing support

• child support
• emotional support animal
• in support of
• life support
• life-support system
• means of support
• moral support
• price support
• self-support
• support group
• support hose
• support level
• support system
• technical/tech support
• tech/technical support
• visible means of support

Rhymes for support

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• disport
• distort
• escort
• exhort

Kids Definition

support

1 of 2 verb

sup·​port sə-ˈpō(ə)rt 

-ˈpȯ(ə)rt

1

: to endure bravely or quietly : bear

2

a

: to promote the interests or cause of

b

: to uphold or defend as true or right : advocate

supports fair play

c

: to argue or vote for

support a candidate

d

: assist entry 1, help

bombers supported the ground troops

e

: to provide evidence for : verify

they cannot support the claim

3

: to pay the costs of : maintain

supports a large family

4

a

: to hold up or in position or serve as a foundation or prop for

posts support the porch roof

b

: to keep up the price of (as milk or wheat) by buying large amounts to store at a certain price

5

: to keep something going : sustain

not enough air to support life

supportable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

supportive

-ˈpōrt-iv 

-ˈpȯrt-

adjective

support

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported

b

: assistance provided by a company to users of its products

customer support

2

: someone or something that supports

Medical Definition

support

1 of 2 transitive verb

sup·​port sə-ˈpō(ə)rt, -ˈpȯ(ə)rt 

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

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported

respiratory support

2

: supporter

Legal Definition

support

1 of 2 transitive verb

sup·​port

1

a

: 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

2 of 2 noun

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