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

The San Francisco resident, political independent and mother of three said the idea that tech leaders are backing Mahan because they believe he will scratch their back in business is wrong.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Nvidia is among the brand name companies backing the startup as part of a new $300 million round led by Radical Ventures.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Both companies have backing from Nvidia, which announced in March that it was investing $2 billion in both Lumentum and Coherent, along with multibillion-dollar purchase commitments with the two companies.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Tyrell is small and getting smaller, backing away.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon

Related Words

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