English dictionary

backbone Meaning & Definition

Q: What is the plural of backbone?

The plural of backbone is backbones.

ˈbak-ˈbōn

What Does Backbone Mean?

Backbone is used as a noun meaning spinal column, spine. It can also mean something that resembles a backbone.

Quick Facts About Backbone

Part of speech	noun
Pronunciation	/ˈbak-ˈbōn/
Syllables	2
Synonyms	anchor, grit and gumption
Antonyms	spinelessness, indecisiveness and irresoluteness
Plural	backbones

Backbone Definition (Noun)

spinal column, spine
something that resembles a backbone: such as
a chief mountain ridge, range, or system
the foundation or most substantial or sturdiest part of something
the longest chain of atoms or groups of atoms in a usually long molecule (such as a polymer or protein)
the primary high-speed hardware and transmission lines of a telecommunications network (such as the Internet)
firm and resolute character
spine

Noun

the axial skeleton of a vertebrate that consists of an articulated series of vertebrae which extend from the neck to the tail and protect the spinal cord

Antonyms of Backbone

spinelessness indecisiveness irresoluteness irresolution vacillation cowardice cowardliness cravenness dastardliness faintheartedness pusillanimity timidity timorousness

Backbone in a Sentence

Before automobiles, railroads were a backbone of commerce.

He would make a good manager, if he had a little more backbone.

found the backbone of a fish lying on the beach

it takes backbone to stand up to the kind of suffering that some cancer patients must endure

a diagram of the spinal column

Word Forms & Grammar

back·boned adjective

backbone

backboned

backbones

spinal column

spinal columns

backbone (countable and uncountable, plural backbones)

Words That Rhyme With Backbone

moan groan drone bemoan cornerstone tone stone condone unknown cyclone atone baritone monotone unbeknown bone hone milestone zone lone cicerone capstone own throne alone roan undertone chaperone cone blown flagstone

Origin of Backbone

From Middle English bakbon, bakebon, bac-bon; equivalent to back +‎ bone. Compare the semantically analogous English ridgebone.

First Known Use

14th century

1831

Pronouncing Backbone

Backbone is pronounced /ˈbak-ˈbōn/ and has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (bak).

Questions People Ask About Backbone

What part of speech is backbone?

Backbone is a noun.

What is another word for backbone?

Words with a similar meaning to backbone include anchor, grit and gumption. See the full list of backbone synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of backbone?

The opposite of backbone can be expressed with words like spinelessness, indecisiveness, irresoluteness and irresolution.