backbone

/ˈbækbəʊn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbækbəʊn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbak-ˈbōn -ˌbōn/ (ame, mw)

backbone — noun

  • backbonesingular
  • backbonesplural

1. the chain of bones inside your back that supports your body and protects the spi

1.名詞B2
釋義

the chain of bones inside your back that supports your body and protects the spinal cord.

例句

The doctor checked Eli's backbone after the fall from the horse.

physical backbone after an injury

A heavy backpack left a red mark along Ari's backbone.

同義詞
  • spine

    the most common everyday word for this body part

  • spinal column

    a more technical medical term

用法筆記

Usually refers to the spine in people or animals. In everyday conversation, spine is often the simpler word, while backbone is more common in descriptive or figurative use.

2. the part that gives a group, plan, or system its main support and shape.

2.名詞B2
釋義

the part that gives a group, plan, or system its main support and shape.

例句

Local volunteers became the backbone of the food bank last winter.

the backbone of + organization

This railway line is the backbone of travel across the island.

同義詞
  • core

    stresses the central part rather than the support it gives

  • foundation

    suggests the base something is built on

  • framework

    often refers to an organized structure or plan

反義詞
  • fringe

    refers to the outer edge, not the central support

文法句型

the backbone of + group/system/economy

用法筆記

Often followed by of to name what the core part supports. Common subjects include industries, transport lines, volunteer groups, and practical plans.

常見錯誤

❌This app is the backbone in our booking system.
✅This app is the backbone of our booking system.
💡This figurative sense normally takes 'of' after 'backbone'.

3. the inner courage that helps you stay firm in a difficult situation.

3.名詞C1
釋義

the inner courage that helps you stay firm in a difficult situation.

例句

Obi showed real backbone when he refused the fake sales figures.

show backbone under pressure

Lauren found the backbone to report the bullying to her coach.

同義詞
  • courage

    a broad word for bravery in many situations

  • resolve

    stresses firm decision and steady purpose

  • fortitude

    is more formal and often suggests endurance through suffering

反義詞
  • cowardice

    means fear that stops someone from doing the right thing

  • weakness

    suggests a lack of firmness or strength of character

文法句型

have backbone

show backbone

用法筆記

Usually appears with verbs such as have, show, find, and need. It emphasizes moral firmness under pressure, not physical strength.

常見錯誤

❌She needs strong muscles, so she needs backbone.
✅She needs backbone to challenge the unfair rule.
💡In this sense, backbone means courage and firmness, not the body part.

4. the fast central network that links smaller communication networks together.

4.名詞C1
釋義

the fast central network that links smaller communication networks together.

例句

Storm damage slowed the internet backbone serving three coastal cities.

internet backbone linking many local networks

Engineers upgraded the backbone before adding new office connections.

同義詞
  • core network

    a direct technical synonym in telecom contexts

  • trunk network

    used when the emphasis is on the main transmission routes

反義詞
  • edge network

    refers to outer local networks rather than the central links

文法句型

internet backbone

network backbone

用法筆記

Common in technology writing about the internet or a large company system. It refers to the main high-speed links, not to each local device or small network.

常見錯誤

❌Each laptop is the backbone of the network.
✅The main high-speed links are the backbone of the network.
💡Backbone refers to the central core, not to every device on the network.