backbone

[bak-bohn]

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

/ 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

backbone

1. See vertebral column

backbone

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of backbone¹

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

Example Sentences

"Their dedication, skill, and resilience are the backbone of this business," the statement continued.

Read more on BBC

"The cocoa sector, the backbone of Ghana's agricultural economy, stands to gain the most from improved access to the US market."

Read more on Barron's

“Immigrants are so important to America; they are the backbone to this country.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Only then did the backbone scale: We went from server closets wedged next to the mop sink to data centers and cloud regions, from lone system administrators to fulfillment networks, cybersecurity and compliance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Where are the sensible, honorable folks who possess the smarts and the backbone to craft a fair deal?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• foundation 
• spine