Standard Lemma guide

backing

adj · noun · verb · 11 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈbæk.ɪŋ(ɡ)/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ækɪŋ
  • CMU ARPABET: B AE1 K IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Providing support for the main performer.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Support, especially financial.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • It's a volunteer organization that works with backing from the city and a few grants.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A liner or other material added behind or underneath.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • The cardboard backing gives the notebook a little extra stiffness.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A backdrop.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: broadcasting, film, media, television

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

Musicians and vocalists who support the main performer.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

The mounting of a horse or other animal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

noun

Meaning 7

The action of putting something back; a switching into reverse.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

present participle and gerund of back

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

noun

Meaning 9

the act of providing approval and support

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: backup, championship, patronage

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: blessing, approval, approving

10

noun

Meaning 10

something forming a back that is added for strengthening

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: mount

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: layer, bed, strengthener, reinforcement

11

noun

Meaning 11

financial resources provided to make some project possible

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the foundation provided support for the experiment

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: support, financial support, funding, financial backing

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: resource

History

Etymology

From back + -ing.

Across languages

Translations

25 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: поддръжка (poddrǎžka) — support, especially financial
  • Bulgarian: подкрепа (podkrepa) — support, especially financial
  • Finnish: tuki — support, especially financial
  • Finnish: kate — support, especially financial
  • Italian: sostegno — support, especially financial
  • Italian: supporto — support, especially financial
  • Russian: подде́ржка (poddéržka) — support, especially financial
  • Bulgarian: пълнеж (pǎlnež) — material added behind or underneath
  • Bulgarian: подплънка (podplǎnka) — material added behind or underneath
  • Finnish: tuki — material added behind or underneath
  • French: support — material added behind or underneath
  • French: plaque — material added behind or underneath
  • Hungarian: tartó — material added behind or underneath
  • Hungarian: tábla — material added behind or underneath
  • Hungarian: állvány — material added behind or underneath
  • Italian: supporto — material added behind or underneath
  • Māori: kaupapa — material added behind or underneath
  • Portuguese: suporte — material added behind or underneath
  • Portuguese: placa — material added behind or underneath
  • Russian: подкла́дка (podkládka) — material added behind or underneath
  • Bulgarian: съпровод (sǎprovod) — (music) Musicians and vocalists who support the main performer
  • Finnish: säestys — (music) Musicians and vocalists who support the main performer
  • Finnish: taustasoitto — (music) Musicians and vocalists who support the main performer
  • Māori: kaiwaiata taunaki — (music) Musicians and vocalists who support the main performer
  • Māori: kaiwhakatangi taunaki — (music) Musicians and vocalists who support the main performer
Real reading context

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