Words / B2

BAKB-ohn/ˈbækbəʊn/

The backbone is the spine, or the main support of a system: the backbone of the NHS; a backbone network. Spine is the body word; core and foundation are close for organisations. Do not call a minor team the backbone. Small suppliers as the backbone of testing.

Meaning

The row of bones down the back; also the main support of a system (the backbone of).

Examples

• “Small suppliers are the backbone of the food-testing network.”
• “A broken backbone is a spinal injury, which is the literal sense — keep it medical.”

Good to know

the backbone of + organisation. Literal: spine. Close: core / foundation. IT: a backbone network. Not a peripheral add-on. Metaphor common in news.

Near in meaning

core

New