Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [bak-bohn]
- /ˈbækˌboʊn/
- /ˈbæk.bəʊn/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [bak-bohn]
- /ˈbækˌboʊn/
Definitions of backbone word
- countable noun backbone Your backbone is the column of small linked bones down the middle of your back. 3
- singular noun backbone The backbone of an organization or system is the part of it that gives it its main strength. 3
- uncountable noun backbone If you say that someone has no backbone, you think they do not have the courage to do things which need to be done. 3
- noun backbone something that resembles the spinal column in function, position, or appearance 3
- noun backbone strength of character; courage 3
- noun backbone the main or central mountain range of a country or region 3
Information block about the term
Origin of backbone
First appearance:
before 1250 One of the 11% oldest English words
1250-1300; Middle English bacbon. See back1, bone
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Backbone
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
backbone popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 87% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
backbone usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for backbone
noun backbone
- determination — Determination is the quality that you show when you have decided to do something and you will not let anything stop you.
- heart — Anatomy. a hollow, pumplike organ of blood circulation, composed mainly of rhythmically contractile smooth muscle, located in the chest between the lungs and slightly to the left and consisting of four chambers: a right atrium that receives blood returning from the body via the superior and inferior vena cavae, a right ventricle that pumps the blood through the pulmonary artery to the lungs for oxygenation, a left atrium that receives the oxygenated blood via the pulmonary veins and passes it through the mitral valve, and a left ventricle that pumps the oxygenated blood, via the aorta, throughout the body.
- spunk — pluck; spirit; mettle.
- resolve — to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full.
- grit — abrasive particles or granules, as of sand or other small, coarse impurities found in the air, food, water, etc.
Antonyms for backbone
noun backbone
- cowardice — Cowardice is cowardly behaviour.
- fear — a river in SE North Carolina. 202 miles (325 km) long.
- indecision — inability to decide.
- weakness — the state or quality of being weak; lack of strength, firmness, vigor, or the like; feebleness.
- irresolution — lack of resolution; lack of decision or purpose; vacillation.
Top questions with backbone
- what mountain range forms the backbone of the united kingdom?
- what forms the backbone of the dna molecule?
- which macromolecule has a sugar phosphate backbone?
- what forms the backbone of a dna chain?
- what makes up the backbone of a dna molecule?
- what does backbone mean?
- what is the backbone of dna?
- what makes up the backbone of dna?
- what is a backbone?
- what is backbone js?
- what mountains form the backbone of italy?
- what is considered the backbone of police work?
- what is the backbone of dna made of?
- what is backbone?
- what forms the backbone of dna?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with b
- Words starting with ba
- Words starting with bac
- Words starting with back
- Words starting with backb
- Words starting with backbo
- Words starting with backbon
- Words starting with backbone