backup

American  

[bak-uhp] / ˈbækˌʌp /

noun

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.

Etymology

Origin of backup

1775–85, noun use of verb phrase back up

Example Sentences

As for my regular brokerage account, I tend to think of it more as a backup emergency fund.

From MarketWatch

Strategic Petroleum Reserve is set to provide nearly half of the backup supplies.

From MarketWatch

I find my backup calculator in the outer pouch and pull out three sharp number 2 pencils.

From Literature

As far as quarterbacks are concerned, Green Bay Packers backup Malik Willis could be a hot commodity.

From Los Angeles Times

They increase the organ's ability to store backup energy and restore the activity of cellular systems that break down harmful waste.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• substitute