backing

American  

[bak-ing] / ˈbæk ɪŋ /

noun

1. aid or support of any kind.

   Synonyms:

   encouragement, patronage, sanction, sponsorship, endorsement, assistance, help

2. supporters or backers collectively.

3. something that forms the back or is placed at or attached to the back of anything to support, strengthen, or protect it.

4. Theater. a curtain or flat placed behind a window, entrance, or other opening in a stage set to conceal the offstage area.

5. material for backing a joist or rafter.

6. a bevel given to the outer and upper edge of a hip rafter.

7. the musical accompaniment for a soloist; backup.

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backing British  

/ ˈbækɪŋ /

noun

1. support given to a person, cause, or enterprise

2. a body of supporters

3. something that forms, protects, supports, or strengthens the back of something

4. theatre a scenic cloth or flat placed behind a window, door, etc, in a set to mask the offstage space

5. musical accompaniment, esp for a pop singer

6. the support in gold or precious metals for a country's issue of money in notes

7. meteorol an anticlockwise change in wind direction

8. a passageway running behind a row of terraced houses

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Etymology

Origin of backing

First recorded in 1590–1600; back ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

However, he did not donate to the official campaign backing Proposition 50.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

It’s also a plus for other big tech firms backing OpenAI, which currently has a valuation of around $1 trillion.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

During the same period, an independent expenditure backing Mahan called Back to Basics raised about $22.7 million, while another launched by the group Deliver for California raised nearly $3.3 million.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Acupuncture—for animals or humans—isn’t recognized as a board-certified medical specialty, and skeptics say there is no rigorous scientific evidence backing the practice.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

With Operation Breakthrough’s backing, a record 100 residents met in the main hall at McDougald Terrace that morning, eagerly anticipating a discussion about day care.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• advocacy
• aid
• assistance
• encouragement
• endorsement
• help
• sponsorship
• subsidy