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Definitions

backbone

[bak-bohn] / ˈbækˌboʊn /


NOUN
spinal column of vertebrate
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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It wasn’t accidental how the Appalachian Trail became my family’s backbone.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 15, 2026

The seven thermal power plants that form the national grid's backbone have all been in operation for more than 40 years, and are in various states of disrepair.

From Barron's Aug. 2, 2026

It has enough backbone for the journey without requiring the determined chewing that makes lunch feel like a mandibular endurance event.

From Salon Jul. 30, 2026

Sun Microsystems powered the internet’s backbone and gave the world Java.

From MarketWatch Jul. 20, 2026

When Agnew saw the damaged backbone, he stuck his little finger through the hole created by Guiteau's bullet.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

The chart shows strongly performing security and infrastructure, which provides “critical data backbones, compute pipelines and complex protection systems that generative models actively expand rather than displace.”

From MarketWatch Jul. 27, 2026

"Big pharma's GLP-1 backbones are already excellent," Eastman said.

From Science Daily Apr. 28, 2026

For decades, palaeontologists believed that the largest ocean predators were vertebrates with backbones such as fish and reptiles while invertebrates like octopuses and squid played supporting roles.

From BBC Apr. 23, 2026

Animals without a backbones evolved first, around 700 million years ago.

From The Wall Street Journal Nov. 21, 2025

In the lethargy of her pregnancy, Amaranta Úrsula tried to set up a business in necklaces made out of the backbones of fish.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez




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