backup

American  

[bak-uhp] / ˈbækˌʌp /

noun

1. a person or thing that supports or reinforces another.

2. a musician or singer or group of musicians or singers accompanying a soloist.

   a singer with a three-man backup that plays cello, bass, and guitar.

3. an overflow or accumulation due to stoppage, malfunctioning, etc..

   a sewage backup; a backup of cars at the tollbooth.

4. a person, plan, device, etc., kept in reserve to serve as a substitute, if needed.

5. Computers.

   1. a copy or duplicate version, especially of a file, program, or entire computer system, retained for use in the event that the original is in some way rendered unusable.

   2. a procedure to follow in such an event.

6. Bowling. a ball that curves in a direction corresponding to the bowling hand of the bowler.

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adjective

1. (of a person, plan, device, etc.) held in reserve as a substitute if needed.

   a backup driver; a backup generator.

2. performing a secondary or supporting function.

   A drummer and guitarist are the singer's backup musicians.

Usage

See login.

Etymology

Origin of backup

1775–85, noun use of verb phrase back up

Example Sentences

You know, for the last 50 years, enterprises relied on backups of backups of technology, right?

From Barron's

On February 19, a backup radar at the airport temporarily failed, after a similar problem in August, air traffic controllers said.

From Barron's

With three-time All-Star catcher Will Smith in front of him, Dalton Rushing’s role is clear: He is the Dodgers’ backup catcher.

From Los Angeles Times

You can reduce the size of your current iPhone’s backup by turning off syncing for any unnecessary apps.

From The Wall Street Journal

He also said he had a backup plan.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• substitute