backbone

American  

[bak-bohn] / ˈbækˌboʊn /

noun

• backbones
  plural

1. Anatomy. the spinal column; spine.

2. strength of character; resolution.

   Synonyms:

   fortitude, decision, firmness

3. something resembling a backbone in appearance, position, or function.

4. Bookbinding. a back or bound edge of a book; spine.

5. Nautical. a rope running along the middle of an awning, as a reinforcement and as an object to which a supporting bridle or crowfoot may be attached.

6. Naval Architecture. the central fore-and-aft assembly of the keel and keelson, giving longitudinal strength to the bottom of a vessel.

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backbone British  

/ ˈbækˌbəʊn /

noun

1. a nontechnical name for spinal column

2. something that resembles the spinal column in function, position, or appearance

3. strength of character; courage

4. the main or central mountain range of a country or region

5. nautical the main longitudinal members of a vessel, giving structural strength

6. computing (in computer networks) a large-capacity, high-speed central section by which other network segments are connected

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backbone Scientific  

/ băk′bōn′ /

1. See vertebral column

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backbone Cultural  

1. The primary line(s) that connects the slower, shorter cable portions of a communications network together. (See last mile.) In larger networks, such as the Internet, a backbone consists of high-capacity, high-speed lines that can extend over great distances.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• backboned
  adjective
• backboneless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• backbones
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of backbone

1250–1300; Middle English bacbon. See back ¹, bone ( def. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

backbone backbones

Although the scientists did not recover a complete skeleton, the preserved backbone provides important clues about the snake's enormous proportions.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026

As a Catholic, Abbott has also managed to keep a discrete distance from the evangelicals who are the backbone of the Christian nationalist movement.

From Salon ● Oct. 13, 2026

While the rising cost of diesel directly hits drivers, there's a wider concern because of its use in the lorries, vans and ships that form the backbone of global supply chains.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

For decades, the bargain was straightforward: The U.S. provided the backbone of European security, Europe largely accepted American leadership, and both sides believed the arrangement served their national interests.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Arliss was screaming his head off, and here came the big dog with his wet fur rising along the ridge of his backbone, baying me like I was a panther.

From "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson

For decades, palaeontologists believed that the largest ocean predators were vertebrates with backbones such as fish and reptiles while invertebrates like octopuses and squid played supporting roles.

From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026

“If you look at the collection of companies that ultimately formed Lumen, the underlying technologies and backbones were never integrated,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 16, 2026

Sea squirts are invertebrates, making them useful for identifying differences between animals without backbones and those with them.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 4, 2026

Animals without a backbones evolved first, around 700 million years ago.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025

Their anger had their bristles standing in high fierce ridges along their backbones.

From "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson

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Related Words

• foundation
• spine

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