backbone
The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.
Other meanings
Any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure.
“Before automobiles, railroads were a backbone of commerce.”
courage, fortitude, or strength.
“He would make a good manager, if he had a little more backbone.”
Synonyms
- spine
- spinal column
- vertebral column
- anchor
Related words
- backboned
- backboneless
- Bustamante backbone
- to the backbone
- devil's backbone
Example sentences
Word history
From Middle English "bakbon".
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “backbone” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; example sentences are from Tatoeba, credited to their authors above; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.