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 Vast satellite bus—essentially a backbone providing power, propulsion, and navigation for various payloads—will be based largely on technology ported over from the company’s Haven-1 space station, which is due to launch for the first time next year as the world’s first private space station.
—
Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
And the power of the internet essentially driving everything and being the backbone of everything.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
What began as a utility for computing, networking and storage has become the backbone of enterprise intelligence.
—Madhavi Rajan, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Subsea cables form the backbone of global connectivity, carrying the vast majority of the world’s internet and data traffic.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for backbone
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Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
And the power of the internet essentially driving everything and being the backbone of everything.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
What began as a utility for computing, networking and storage has become the backbone of enterprise intelligence.
—Madhavi Rajan, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Subsea cables form the backbone of global connectivity, carrying the vast majority of the world’s internet and data traffic.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backbone. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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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