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Synonyms

backbone

American  
[bak-bohn] / ˈbækˌboʊn /

noun

  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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
backbone Scientific  
/ băk′bōn′ /

  1. See vertebral column

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.

Other Word Forms

  • backboned adjective
  • backboneless adjective

Etymology

Origin of backbone

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Nvidia’s graphics processing units have been the backbone of AI development thus far, but central processing units are having a moment.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

“He has been the backbone of our family,” said Maria, 56.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

They added: "Teachers and support staff are the backbone of our education system."

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

"Bob had real backbone, on and off the screen," said Streisand.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

His arms were forged of steel, his backbone was the railroad, and in his veins was the coal that powered them both.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.