Definition

1. Noun:
   • The series of vertebrae in the spine: The central supporting structure of the skeleton in vertebrates, which protects the spinal cord.
   • Strength of character; fortitude: The quality of being strong, determined, and able to deal with difficult situations.
   • A central or main support: The most important part of a system, organization, or group that provides stability and strength.
   • The spine of a book: The part of a book's cover that is visible when it is on a shelf, connecting the front and back covers and bearing the title and author's name.
   • A high-capacity central network: In computing, the main part of a network that carries the heaviest traffic and connects smaller networks together.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Anatomy):
  • A healthy diet is important for maintaining a strong backbone.
  • The injury damaged several vertebrae in his backbone.
• Noun (Character):
  • It takes real backbone to stand up to a bully.
  • She showed great backbone in dealing with the crisis.
• Noun (Central Support):
  • Small businesses are the backbone of the local economy.
  • He is considered the backbone of the research team.
• Noun (Bookbinding):
  • The book's title was embossed in gold on its backbone.
• Noun (Computing):
  • The new fiber-optic cables will serve as the internet backbone for the region.

Advanced Usage

• "To have no backbone": To lack courage or determination.
  • The manager has no backbone and always gives in to unreasonable demands.
• "To be the backbone of something": To be the most essential supporting element.
  • Volunteers are the backbone of this charity organization.

Variants and Related Words

• Spine (n): A direct synonym for the anatomical backbone; also used for the book's backbone.
• Backboned (adj): Having a backbone; vertebrate. (e.g., )
• Backboneless (adj): Lacking a backbone; invertebrate. Also used figuratively to mean lacking courage.

Synonyms

• Fortitude: Courage in pain or adversity.
• Grit: Courage and resolve; strength of character.
• Mainstay: A person or thing on which something else is based or depends.
• Linchpin: A person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization.

Related Phrases

• To the backbone: Completely; through and through. (Idiomatic)
  • He is a conservative to the backbone.

Idioms

• The backbone of the nation: Refers to the ordinary, hardworking people who form the essential support of a country.
  • Farmers and factory workers were once called the backbone of the nation.

Noun

1. the part of a network that connects other networks together
   • the backbone is the part of a communication network that carries the heaviest traffic
2. the part of a book's cover that encloses the inner side of the book's pages and that faces outward when the book is shelved
   • the title and author were printed on the spine of the book
3. the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
   • the fall broke his back
4. fortitude and determination
   • he didn't have the guts to try it
5. a central cohesive source of support and stability
   • faith is his anchor
   • the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money
   • he is the linchpin of this firm