backing

American  

[bak-ing] / ˈbæk ɪŋ /

noun

backings plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• backings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of backing

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

Example Sentences

Accenture’s leadership hasn’t been shy about backing AI.

From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026

Qalibaf's role is significant because he is not identified with Pezeshkian's moderate camp; his public support suggests the deal has backing from more powerful parts of the system even within Islamic Republic Revolutionary Guards.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

And Narbé — a 5th- and 6th-grade social studies teacher in Hollywood — had no qualms about backing these Iranian men.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026

Some 40 lawmakers in the parliament from different political groups last week voiced backing for the petition's goal, in a letter to the commission.

From Barron's • Jun. 16, 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