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
Vladimir Padrino López Vladimir Padrino López, Venezuela’s long-serving defense minister, is portrayed by La Nación as the backbone of the military establishment and the guarantor of Maduro’s survival.
—
Benjamin Weinthal , Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Such chips are the backbone of the AI race, and can be used for military or civilian purposes.
—Magdalena Petrova,eamon Javers, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
The sanctions move could significantly disrupt Venezuela’s oil exports, the backbone of its economy.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Though George will be king someday, Charlotte is emerging as a backbone of the royal family—and her Christmas morning pat on the back is proof of that.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Benjamin Weinthal , Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Such chips are the backbone of the AI race, and can be used for military or civilian purposes.
—Magdalena Petrova,eamon Javers, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
The sanctions move could significantly disrupt Venezuela’s oil exports, the backbone of its economy.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Though George will be king someday, Charlotte is emerging as a backbone of the royal family—and her Christmas morning pat on the back is proof of that.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backbone. Accessed 6 Jan. 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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share