Word
Definitions
01the spine
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine
n. the row of bones that goes down the middle of your back.
n. the series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the pelvis, forming the main support of the body.
“The doctor checked the curve of his backbone to see if it was straight.”
“The injury to his backbone was severe enough to require several months of intensive physical therapy and specialized bracing.”
Usage
Often used as a synonym for 'spine' in both medical and general contexts.
02main support
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the most important part of a system or organization that gives it strength.
n. the chief support or fundamental structural component of an organization, system, or infrastructure.
“Small businesses are the backbone of the local economy.”
“The high-speed fiber-optic cables form the backbone of the national telecommunications network, carrying the vast majority of data traffic.”
Usage
Frequently used in the phrase 'the backbone of' followed by a noun phrase.
Synonyms
03courage
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Informal
n. the strength of character to do what is right, even when it is difficult.
n. strength of character, resolve, or moral courage. Uncountable in this sense.
“He didn't have the backbone to tell his boss that he was quitting.”
“The board of directors lacked the backbone to stand up to the CEO, even when the company's ethical standards were clearly being compromised.”
Teaching tip
This sense is often used in negative constructions to criticize someone for being weak or indecisive.
Real-World Examples
“A protein is made by linking up a series of these constant sections to form a long chain called a backbone.” “In Mexico, he met Norman Borlaug, the American agronomist and Nobel Prize winner, whose high-yielding dwarf wheat variety would become the backbone of the 'Green Revolution'.” “Data centers also need to be close enough to users and network backbones to provide fast digital services.” Etymology
From Middle English bakbon, bakebon, bac-bon; equivalent to back + bone. Compare the semantically analogous English ridgebone.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/backbone
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0