Definitions for backing

• Definition
• Anagrams (129)

backing back·ing

Spelling: [bak-ing]

IPA: /ˈbæk ɪŋ/

Backing is a 7 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 16 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 20 points.

You can make 129 anagrams from letters in backing (abcgikn).

Definitions for backing

noun

1. aid or support of any kind.
2. supporters or backers collectively.
3. something that forms the back or is placed at or attached to the back of anything to support, strengthen, or protect it.
4. Theater. a curtain or flat placed behind a window, entrance, or other opening in a stage set to conceal the offstage area.
5. material for backing a joist or rafter.
6. a bevel given to the outer and upper edge of a hip rafter.
7. the musical accompaniment for a soloist; backup.
8. the rear part of the human body, extending from the neck to the lower end of the spine.
9. the part of the body of animals corresponding to the human back.
10. the rear portion of any part of the body:
11. the whole body, with reference to clothing:
12. ability for labor; effort; endurance:
13. the part opposite to or farthest from the front; the rear part:
14. the part that forms the rear of any object or structure:
15. the part that covers the back:
16. the spine or backbone:
17. any rear part of an object serving to support, protect, etc.:
18. Nautical, Aeronautics. the forward side of a propeller blade (opposed to face (def 20.)).
19. Aeronautics. the top part or upper surface of an aircraft, especially of its fuselage.
20. Bookbinding. the edge of a book formed where its sections are bound together.
21. the backs, grounds along the River Cam in back of certain colleges at Cambridge University in England: noted for their great beauty.
22. Architecture. extrados.
23. Carpentry. the upper side of a joist, rafter, handrail, etc. the area of interior wall between a window stool and the floor.
24. Mining. the roof of a stope or drift.
25. Sports. a player whose regular position is behind that of players who make initial contact with the opposing team, as behind the forward line in football or nearest the player's own goal in polo. the position occupied by this player.

Idioms

1. back and fill, Nautical. to trim the sails of a boat so that the wind strikes them first on the forward and then on the after side. to change one's opinion or position; vacillate.
2. back and forth, South Midland U.S. to go back and forth, as in running errands or visiting: to work in an aimless or ineffective way; expend effort with little result.
3. back water, Nautical. to reverse the direction of a vessel. to retreat from a position; withdraw an opinion:
4. be flat on one's back, to be helpless or beaten: to be confined to one's bed because of illness.
5. behind one's back, in one's absence; without one's knowledge; treacherously; secretly:
6. break someone's back, to cause a person to fail, especially to cause to become bankrupt:
7. break the back of, to complete the principal or hardest part of (a project, one's work, etc.): to overcome; defeat:
8. get off one's back, Informal. to cease to find fault with or to disturb someone:
9. get one's back up, Informal. to become annoyed; take offense:
10. get / have / watch someone’s back, Informal. to help and protect someone if necessary, especially in a time of trouble: Also, have got someone's back.
11. have one's back to the wall, to be in a difficult or hopeless situation.
12. in back of, behind: Also, back of.
13. on one's back, Informal. finding fault with or disturbing someone:
14. pat on the back. pat1 (defs 9, 11).
15. a stab in the back. stab (def 12).
16. stab someone in the back. stab (def 13).
17. turn one's back on, to forsake or neglect: to leave behind, as in anger.

adjective

1. situated at or in the rear:
2. far away or removed from the front or main area, position, or rank; remote:
3. belonging to the past:
4. in arrears; overdue:
5. coming or going back; moving backward:
6. Navigation. reciprocal (def 7).
7. Phonetics. (of a speech sound) produced with the tongue articulating in the back part of the mouth, as in either of the sounds of go.

Verb phrases

1. back away, to retreat; withdraw:
2. back down, to abandon an argument, opinion, or claim; withdraw; retreat:
3. back off, to back down: Textiles. to reverse (the spindle) in mule spinning prior to winding on the newly spun length of yarn.
4. back out (of), to fail to keep an engagement or promise; withdraw from; abandon:
5. back up, to bring (a stream of traffic) to a standstill: Printing. to print a sheet again on its other side. Printing. to fill in (the thin copper shell of an electrotype) with metal in order to strengthen it. to move backward: to reinforce: to support or confirm: Computers. to duplicate (a file or a program) as a precaution against failure.
6. back up for, Australian Informal. to return for more of, as another helping of food.

verb (used with object)

1. to support, as with authority, influence, help, or money (often followed by up):
2. to bet on:
3. to cause to move backward (often followed by up):
4. to furnish with a back:
5. to lie at the back of; form a back or background for:
6. to provide with an accompaniment:
7. to get upon the back of; mount.
8. to write or print on the back of; endorse; countersign.
9. Carpentry. to attach strips of wood to the upper edge of (a joist or rafter) to bring it to a desired level.
10. Nautical. to alter the position of (a sail) so that the wind will strike the forward face. to brace (yards) in backing a sail. to reinforce the hold of (an anchor) by means of a smaller one attached to it and dropped farther away.

verb (used without object)

1. to go or move backward (often followed by up).
2. Nautical. (of wind) to change direction counterclockwise (opposed to veer).

Origin of backing

First recorded in 1590-1600; back¹ + -ing¹

Examples for backing

Bereft of a competitive 2016 primary, Democrats are backing candidates for Clinton campaign manager.

I'm glad I enlisted and I'm mighty thankful to you for backing me up in it.

However, while they may lack shame, they may be backing a winning candidate.

"That'll do—that'll do," said Pete, backing her to the porch.

The matter was brought to a trial at Bingley, Oastler backing the father.

Fuming Iranian officials blamed the United States and United Kingdom for backing the militants, and Pakistan for inaction.

Finally, after a decade of civil war, America's backing for the Salvadoran regime came to an end.

Their uneven threads showed potential for backing out or breaking, he said.

Seth was backing the animal into his wagon, which stood beneath the shed.

Her instinct had at last prompted her; she was backing Nana.