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

My supermarket frequently runs 10-for-$10 deals on canned goods, which is essentially my signal to replenish the pantry backbone: black beans, chickpeas, navy beans, diced tomatoes.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

Cottray, the Martinez’s general manager, with his crisp blue jacket and yellow patterned tie, could have stepped out of “The White Lotus,” where the GMs are often the backbone of the story line.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Instead of relying entirely on electrons, which have formed the backbone of computers since the 1940s, scientists are now turning to light.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

Artificial intelligence grabs most of the headlines, but it isn’t the backbone of the economy yet.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

A second problem arose with fitting the bases inside the helix: the precise measurement of the outer backbone became crucial.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

• foundation
• spine