backing

[bak-ing]

noun

1. aid or support of any kind.

   Synonyms: encouragement, patronage, sanction, sponsorship, endorsement, assistance, help

2. supporters or backers collectively.

3. something that forms the back or is placed at or attached to the back of anything to support, strengthen, or protect it.

4. Theater.,  a curtain or flat placed behind a window, entrance, or other opening in a stage set to conceal the offstage area.

5. material for backing a joist or rafter.

6. a bevel given to the outer and upper edge of a hip rafter.

7. the musical accompaniment for a soloist; backup.

backing

/ ˈbækɪŋ /

noun

1. support given to a person, cause, or enterprise

2. a body of supporters

3. something that forms, protects, supports, or strengthens the back of something

4. theatre a scenic cloth or flat placed behind a window, door, etc, in a set to mask the offstage space

5. musical accompaniment, esp for a pop singer

6. the support in gold or precious metals for a country's issue of money in notes

7. meteorol an anticlockwise change in wind direction

8. a passageway running behind a row of terraced houses

Word History and Origins

Origin of backing¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; back ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Sir Keir said "pubs and bars are the beating heart of our communities", and added that the government was "backing them to thrive".

Read more on BBC

It will also implement "stricter rules for online sellers of knives", it says, by backing "Ronan's Law" which came into effect in August.

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A party spokesperson said "in actual elections, more and more people are backing the Liberal Democrats".

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However, it is clear that Gerrard - who has backing from many supporters - is now emerging as one of the leading contenders for the position.

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To watch videos of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in action failing bigly is like watching “Star Wars” Stormtroopers constantly misfiring or bonking their heads despite the full backing of the emperor himself.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advocacy 
• aid 
• assistance 
• encouragement 
• endorsement 
• help 
• sponsorship 
• subsidy