1
2
: something that resembles a backbone: such as
a
: a chief mountain ridge, range, or system
b
: the foundation or most substantial or sturdiest part of something
c
: the longest chain of atoms or groups of atoms in a usually long molecule (such as a polymer or protein)
d
: the primary high-speed hardware and transmission lines of a telecommunications network (such as the Internet)
3
: firm and resolute character
4
Examples of backbone in a Sentence
She is the backbone of the family.
He showed some backbone by refusing to compromise his values.
Recent Examples on the Web
The case is just one of several lawsuits challenging how the rights of transgender students, their parents and teachers should be balanced — disputes that have formed the backbone of California’s education culture wars.
—
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024
These themes are often the backbones of lengthy novels, but Munro was able to render her characters’ struggles in aching specificity in just a single story.
—Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for backbone 
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024
These themes are often the backbones of lengthy novels, but Munro was able to render her characters’ struggles in aching specificity in just a single story.
—Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for backbone
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backbone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backbone. Accessed 20 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backbone
noun
back·bone
-ˈbōn 
-ˌbōn
1
: the skeleton of the trunk and tail of a vertebrate that consists of a jointed series of vertebrae enclosing and protecting the spinal cord
called also spinal column
2
: the foundation or sturdiest part of something
3
: firmness of character
a coward with no backbone
Medical Definition
backbone
noun
back·bone
-ˈbōn, -ˌbōn
1
2
: the longest chain of atoms or groups of atoms in a usually long molecule (as a polymer or protein)
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