# backed

/ˈbækt/ (US) · /bˈækt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/backed
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. supported or helped

verb · CEFR B1

gave support, money, or help to someone or something.

For teachers: provided financial, moral, or political support to a person, organization, or project.

- The new business was backed by several local investors who believed in the idea.
- The proposed legislation was backed by a broad coalition of environmental groups and urban planners.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice with 'by'.

### 2. moved backwards

verb · CEFR B1

moved a vehicle or yourself backwards.

For teachers: moved in a reverse direction, especially when operating a vehicle.

- He backed the car into the garage very carefully.
- The driver backed the lorry into the narrow loading bay without hitting any of the surrounding equipment.

Usage: Commonly used with directional adverbs like 'into', 'out', or 'away'.

### 3. having a specific back

adjective · CEFR B2

having a certain kind of back or support, usually used with another word.

For teachers: possessing a specified type of back or backing; almost exclusively used in compound adjectives.

- We bought some high-backed chairs for the dining room table.
- The gallery was filled with gold-backed mirrors that reflected the light from the chandeliers.

Usage: Typically appears as the second part of a hyphenated compound adjective.

## Examples

- The local bank backed the new small business.
- Several major investors backed the tech startup during its first round of funding last year.
- The proposed legislation was backed by a coalition of environmental groups and urban planners who argued that the long-term benefits outweighed the immediate costs.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.