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Backbone

/ˈbækˌbəʊn/

The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Backbone"

noun

1
The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.
2
Any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure.
"Before automobiles, railroads were a backbone of commerce."
3
Courage, fortitude, or strength.
"He would make a good manager, if he had a little more backbone."

🔄 Synonyms of "Backbone"

12 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
anchornoun	(nautical) A tool used to moor a vessel to the bottom of a sea or river to resist movement.
gritnoun	(idiomatic) Strength of mind; courage or fearlessness; fortitude.
gumptionnoun	(UK, Ireland) Common sense, initiative, resourcefulness.
linchpinnoun	(figuratively) A central cohesive source of stability and security; a person or thing that is critical to a system or organisation.
backnoun	At or near the rear.
spinenoun	(anatomy, zootomy) A series of bones situated at the back from the head to the pelvis of a human, or from the head to the tail of an animal, enclosing the spinal cord and providing support for the thorax and abdomen.
lynchpinnoun	Alternative form of linchpin. [A pin inserted through holes at the end of an axle or shaft, so as to secure a wheel or shaft-mounted device.]
mainstaynoun	A chief support.
sandnoun	(uncountable) Rock that is ground more finely than gravel, but is not as fine as silt (more formally, see grain sizes chart), forming beaches and deserts and also used in construction.
gutsnoun	(by extension, informal) Courage; determination.
vertebral columnnoun	(anatomy) The series of vertebrae that protect the spinal cord; the spinal column.
spinal columnnoun	(anatomy) The vertebral column.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Backbone"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
spinenoun	(anatomy, zootomy) A series of bones situated at the back from the head to the pelvis of a human, or from the head to the tail of an animal, enclosing the spinal cord and providing support for the thorax and abdomen.
vertebral columnnoun	(anatomy) The series of vertebrae that protect the spinal cord; the spinal column.
spinal columnnoun	(anatomy) The vertebral column.
gutsnoun	(by extension, informal) Courage; determination.
gritnoun	(idiomatic) Strength of mind; courage or fearlessness; fortitude.
sandnoun	(uncountable) Rock that is ground more finely than gravel, but is not as fine as silt (more formally, see grain sizes chart), forming beaches and deserts and also used in construction.
lynchpinnoun	Alternative form of linchpin. [A pin inserted through holes at the end of an axle or shaft, so as to secure a wheel or shaft-mounted device.]
linchpinnoun	(figuratively) A central cohesive source of stability and security; a person or thing that is critical to a system or organisation.
backnoun	The rear of the body, especially the part between the neck and the end of the spine and opposite the chest and belly.
gumptionnoun	(UK, Ireland) Common sense, initiative, resourcefulness.
anchornoun	(nautical) A tool used to moor a vessel to the bottom of a sea or river to resist movement.
mainstaynoun	A chief support.
ridgenoun	Any extended protuberance; a projecting line or strip.
spinanoun	(anatomy) A spine; the backbone.
skeletonnoun	(anatomy) The system that provides support to an organism, internal and made up of bones and cartilage in vertebrates, external in some other animals.
anklenoun	The skeletal joint which connects the foot with the leg; the uppermost portion of the foot and lowermost portion of the leg, which contain this skeletal joint.
bonenoun	(uncountable) A composite material consisting largely of calcium phosphate and collagen and making up the skeleton of most vertebrates.
dorsalnoun	(linguistics) A sound produced using the dorsum of the tongue.
heartnoun	(anatomy) A muscular organ that pumps blood through the body, traditionally thought to be the seat of emotion.
marrownoun	(uncountable) The substance inside bones which produces blood cells.