Backbone: meaning, definitions and examples

This is commonly used in a metaphorical sense to refer to someone's courage, strength, or determination. It can also refer to the central support of an organization or system but can be used in medical or biological contexts as well.

• She showed a lot of backbone by standing up to the bully.
• Farmers are the backbone of the country’s economy.

This is often used in medical and everyday contexts. It can describe the literal structure in your back that supports your body, but it can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's courage or moral strength.

• He felt a sharp pain in his spine after lifting the heavy box.
• She showed real spine when she refused to give up on her dreams.

This term is more formal and is usually found in medical, scientific, or technical writing to describe the spine.

• The vertebral column protects the spinal cord.
• Studies on the vertebral column provide insight into human evolution.

This term is typically used in medical, biological, or anatomical contexts to describe the series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the lower back.

• The X-ray showed a misalignment in his spinal column.
• Injury to the spinal column can lead to serious complications.

Refers to the main support or strength of something, often used to describe infrastructure, systems, or a person's essential character strength.

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• The internet's backbone must be robust to handle high data traffic
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• He showed great backbone in standing up for what he believed in

Indicates the base on which something is built, either literally, such as a building, or figuratively, such as an idea or organization.

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• The foundation of the house needs to be strong to prevent structural issues
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• Education is the foundation of a successful career

Refers to the central or most important part of something, often used in various contexts like business strategy, physical fitness, or software development.

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• The company's core values set it apart from competitors
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• Strengthening your core muscles can improve overall health

Describes the underlying support or justification for a concept, decision, or argument, often referring to facts or reasoning.

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• The decision was made on the basis of recent research findings
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• Trust is the basis of a strong relationship

Typically used in contexts where it signifies the most critical part of a system or organization, often linking various smaller components together. It can apply to physical networks, anatomy, or even metaphorically to describe a key support system.

• The backbone of the internet includes major data routes all over the world.
• Trust and communication form the backbone of a healthy relationship.

Commonly used in computing to refer to a large, powerful computer that is used primarily by large organizations for bulk data processing and critical applications.

• Banks and insurance companies often rely on mainframes to run their daily operations.
• The mainframe can handle vast amounts of transactions simultaneously.

Most appropriate in technical contexts, particularly in IT and telecommunications, where it refers to the primary network that connects and supports other networks or systems.

• The company upgraded its central network to improve connection speeds for all branches.
• A robust central network is crucial for the stability of an enterprise’s IT department.

Used to talk about the essential systems and structures needed for the operation of a country, organization, or project. This term often has a broader, more comprehensive meaning, encompassing multiple systems or facilities.

• Investing in core infrastructure like roads and bridges can boost the economy.
• The new data centers are part of our core infrastructure development plan.