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.

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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

• backboned adjective
• backboneless adjective

Etymology

Origin of backbone

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

Example Sentences

For IBM, Confluent’s technology will become the “backbone” of its own platform for helping business clients access their data for various AI uses, Krishna said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Most rides in jeepneys, the backbone of the country's transport system, were set to jump about eight percent on average, the regulator announced.

From Barron's

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

From MarketWatch

Streisand highlighted Redford’s “backbone, on and off the screen,” speaking about his efforts to support the free press, protect the environment and encourage new voices through his Sundance Institute based in Utah.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Barron's

Related Words

• foundation
• spine