backup — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A reserve or substitute.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   If the goalkeeper is injured, we have a backup.

2. A copy of a file or record, stored separately from the original, that can be used to recover the original if it is damaged or destroyed.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   After the power failure, we had to restore the database from backup.

3. An accumulation of material caused by a (partial) obstruction or (complete) blockage of the flow or movement of the material, or an accumulation of material that causes an overflow due to the flow being greater than the maximum possible flow.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The accident caused a mile-long backup on the highway.

   The blockage caused a backup in the plumbing.

4. Reinforcements.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Examples

   He's got a gun! You'd better send for backup.

5. Any support or extra help.

   Usage

   • broadly
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   Shaman: My patience is tested, but Uvenk invokes correctly. Grunt, who is your krantt? Your allies willing to kill and die on your behalf? Shepard: How is a candidate tested if he brings backup on his Rite of Passage? Shaman: Not every krogan can be the strongest warrior, but each must inspire his peers to battle at his side. Shaman: If the ones who know you best can find nothing worthy in you, you should wander the wastes and die alone before you weaken my clan.

   This guy, he grabs the dog by the ears, stares it down like a cowboy in a showdown. The man regains control again. He scans the area, hoping for backup. Nothing. No neighbours, no dog whisperers, no animal control.

6. Accompaniment.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Debbie Ahn, on piano, provided some mesmerizing back-up and many fiery, on-target solos.

7. Corroboration.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Pg. 206 on Yudit's comments on the feminists of Tel Aviv, "... and now they are translating Our Bodies Ourselves into Hebrew, leaving out the section on gays" was misinformed, a statement made without authoratative ^([sic]) backup in 1979 about a book first published in 1982.

Adjective

1. Standby, reserve or extra.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   I am only a backup player.

2. That is intended as a backup.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Make a backup copy of that file.

3. Supporting, reinforcing; (music) of or related to accompaniment

   Usage

   • not-comparable

Noun

1. an accumulation caused by clogging or a stoppage

   Broader terms

   accretionaccumulation

   Examples

   a traffic backup on the main street

   he discovered a backup in the toilet

2. someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult)

   Synonyms

   stand-insubstitutereliefrelieverfill-in

   Broader terms

   peerequalmatchcompeer

   Examples

   the star had a stand-in for dangerous scenes

   we need extra employees for summer fill-ins

3. a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts

   Synonyms

   accompanimentmusical accompanimentsupport

   Broader terms

   partvoice

4. (computer science) a copy of a file or directory on a separate storage device

   Synonyms

   computer backup

   Broader terms

   duplicateduplication

   Examples

   he made a backup in case the original was accidentally damaged or erased

5. the act of providing approval and support

   Synonyms

   backingchampionshippatronage

   Broader terms

   blessingapprovalapproving

   Examples

   his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives