backup

American  

[bak-uhp] / ˈbækˌʌp /

noun

• backups
  plural

1. a person or thing that supports or reinforces another.

2. a musician or singer or group of musicians or singers accompanying a soloist.

   a singer with a three-man backup that plays cello, bass, and guitar.

3. an overflow or accumulation due to stoppage, malfunctioning, etc..

   a sewage backup; a backup of cars at the tollbooth.

4. a person, plan, device, etc., kept in reserve to serve as a substitute, if needed.

5. Computers.

   1. a copy or duplicate version, especially of a file, program, or entire computer system, retained for use in the event that the original is in some way rendered unusable.

   2. a procedure to follow in such an event.

6. Bowling. a ball that curves in a direction corresponding to the bowling hand of the bowler.

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adjective

1. (of a person, plan, device, etc.) held in reserve as a substitute if needed.

   a backup driver; a backup generator.

2. performing a secondary or supporting function.

   A drummer and guitarist are the singer's backup musicians.

Usage

See login.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• backups
  plural

Etymology

Origin of backup

1775–85, noun use of verb phrase back up

Explanation

Backup is what someone gives when they help or support you. A brand new doctor might need some backup in the emergency room for the first few weeks. Use the noun backup when you talk about extra assistance or help. Police officers call for backup when they're not sure they can handle a situation on their own, and store cashiers need backup when things get busy and customers start lining up. Another kind of backup is the one you do on your computer — in this case, a backup is the process of copying your data in case you lose the original files.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

backup backups

The rise of a roster-budget model in college sports means that every dollar a team spends on its starting quarterback is one it isn’t funneling toward a capable backup.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

He just did some backup vocals for me, which was so cool.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

The Ducks would score on six of their last seven drives, almost all of which featured their backup quarterback at the helm.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026

The company said its specialists were assessing the damage after Friday's daytime attack but all services "continue to operate from backup sites".

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

I am only a neighborhood pal to Jax and, ever since third grade, backup friend to Deb-minus-Kiki.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari

Wisse and fellow head writer Michele Loud review those drafts, picking five clues for the “Jeopardy!” game board and reserving two as backups.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

After being taken out at halftime, all six players cheered on the backups and joked with each other about everything and nothing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

Which didn’t leave Riley — or anyone — feeling great about the backups on defense.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026

Rounds three, four, and five yielded backups and talent to nurture.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

At the last minute, Admiral Spruance decided to send the Twenty-seventh Army Division, the soldiers who were supposed to be our backups, to help take Saipan.

From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac

Related Words

• substitute