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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.

"They do a fantastic job for our health system, they are the unsung heroes, the backbone of our social care system and our health system, and they need our support."

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Nvidia’s graphics processing units have been the backbone of AI development thus far, but central processing units are having a moment.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

Untangling the government’s stake is the critical issue for private shareholders in Fannie and Freddie, which buy mortgages from lenders and form the backbone of the U.S. housing market.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

The escalation came after Israel struck the backbone of Iran’s energy industry-the giant South Pars gas field that Iran shares with Qatar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

At first, they tried to salvage the essence of their first model, placing the phosphate backbone in the middle, and the bases projecting out to the sides.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee