backbone
pronunciation
How to pronounce backbone in British English:
UK [ˈbækbəʊn]
How to pronounce backbone in American English:
US [ˈbækboʊn]
-
- Noun:
- a central cohesive source of support and stability
- fortitude and determination
- the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
- the part of a network that connects other networks together
Word Origin
- backbone (n.)
- "spine," early 14c., from back (n.) + bone (n.). Figurative sense of "strength of character" is attested from 1843.
Example
- 1. Rumbling over unfriendly terrain the world over , humvees form the backbone of america 's military transport .
- 2. But their great impact as the backbone of global trade did not come for decades after that .
- 3. Barack obama will soon appoint a new cabinet to form the backbone of his administration in its second term .
- 4. The student protesters who make up the backbone of the protest movement had earlier rejected the plan because of the contentious immunity clause .
- 5. News of the potential capital shortfall could increase pressure on many of the 7900 us banks that form the backbone of the us financial system .