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

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

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

Newcastle is technically the richest club in the world such is its backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), but progress to date has been slow due to the Premier League’s PSR and other factors. —Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

After Trump lost the 2020 election, Kushner founded an investment firm which received billions of dollars in backing from sovereign wealth funds in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 June 2025

The non-endorsement capped off a tumultuous approval process for the UFT, who had to drop a prerequisite for their backing that candidates spend a day teaching at the Adams administration’s behest. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025

Little easily overcame Trump’s backing of his rival and beat McGeachin in the primary by nearly 60,000 votes. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 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