What does "supporting" mean?

1. (helping or secondary) describing a person or thing that helps a main part succeed, like an actor who is not the lead. 2. (providing evidence) giving proof or reasons that show an idea is true. 3. (giving help or holding up) the action of helping someone or holding the weight of something. 4. (a physical support) something that holds another thing up so it does not fall.

How do you use "supporting"?

Usually placed before the noun it describes. Commonly used with nouns like 'evidence', 'documents', or 'details'. Used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. Often refers to temporary structures in construction.

supporting

adj. · v. · n.

US //səˈpɔɹtɪŋ// UK //səpˈɔːtɪŋ// sup·port·ing

1 helping or secondary (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

describing a person or thing that helps a main part succeed, like an actor who is not the lead.

serving to provide assistance or backing; in performing arts, denoting a role or performer secondary to the leads.

Example

She won an award for best supporting actress in the new drama.

Example

The lead researcher acknowledged that the supporting staff were instrumental in managing the daily logistics of the clinical trial.

Usage

Usually placed before the noun it describes.
2 providing evidence (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

giving proof or reasons that show an idea is true.

providing corroboration or evidence to strengthen a claim or argument.

Example

You need to include supporting documents with your visa application.

Example

The legal team spent months gathering supporting evidence to ensure the witness's testimony would hold up under cross-examination.

Usage

Commonly used with nouns like 'evidence', 'documents', or 'details'.
- corroborating
- substantiating
- contradictory

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3 giving help or holding up (v.)
B1 Intermediate

the action of helping someone or holding the weight of something.

the present participle of 'support', indicating the ongoing act of providing assistance, approval, or physical bracing.

Example

Thank you for supporting our small business during the holidays.

Example

By supporting the local community through various charitable initiatives, the corporation managed to significantly improve its public image.

Usage

Used in continuous tenses or as a gerund.
- opposing
- dropping
4 a physical support (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical

something that holds another thing up so it does not fall.

a structural element or material that provides physical stability or bears weight.

Example

The workers added extra supporting to the old wall before they started the repairs.

Example

The architectural plan called for steel supporting to be integrated into the foundation to prevent subsidence in the marshy soil.

Usage

Often refers to temporary structures in construction.