backbone

noun

back·​bone ˈbak-ˈbōn 

-ˌbōn

1

: spinal column, spine

2

: something that resembles a backbone: such as

a

: a chief mountain ridge, range, or system

b

: the foundation or most substantial or sturdiest part of something

c

: the longest chain of atoms or groups of atoms in a usually long molecule (such as a polymer or protein)

d

: the primary high-speed hardware and transmission lines of a telecommunications network (such as the Internet)

3

: firm and resolute character

4

: spine sense 1c

backboned

ˈbak-ˌbōnd 

adjective

Synonyms

• spine

Examples of backbone in a Sentence

She is the backbone of the family.

He showed some backbone by refusing to compromise his values.

Recent Examples on the Web

This insight now forms the backbone of B1G1, a platform that enables businesses of all sizes to create positive social and environmental impact through everyday transactions. —Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Nvidia has served as the backbone of the AI boom that began with the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT in late 2022. —Lora Kolodny,jordan Novet,kif Leswing, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025

Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito are the backbone of the rotation and would set up the rotation for the American League Wild Card series. —Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025

Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been the Panthers’ backbone the past three years. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for backbone

• alone
• atone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone
• dethrone

Kids Definition

backbone

noun

back·​bone -ˈbōn 

-ˌbōn

1

: the skeleton of the trunk and tail of a vertebrate that consists of a jointed series of vertebrae enclosing and protecting the spinal cord

called also spinal column

2

: the foundation or sturdiest part of something

3

: firmness of character

a coward with no backbone

backboned

-ˈbōnd 

-ˌbōnd

adjective

Medical Definition

backbone

noun

back·​bone -ˈbōn, -ˌbōn 

1

: spinal column, spine

2

: the longest chain of atoms or groups of atoms in a usually long molecule (as a polymer or protein)