backing

American  

[bak-ing] / ˈbæk ɪŋ /

noun

1. aid or support of any kind.

   Synonyms:

   encouragement, patronage, sanction, sponsorship, endorsement, assistance, help

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.

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backing British  

/ ˈbækɪŋ /

noun

1. support given to a person, cause, or enterprise

2. a body of supporters

3. something that forms, protects, supports, or strengthens the back of something

4. theatre a scenic cloth or flat placed behind a window, door, etc, in a set to mask the offstage space

5. musical accompaniment, esp for a pop singer

6. the support in gold or precious metals for a country's issue of money in notes

7. meteorol an anticlockwise change in wind direction

8. a passageway running behind a row of terraced houses

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Etymology

Origin of backing

First recorded in 1590–1600; back ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

It is doubling down on artificial-intelligence investment and analysts at Benchmark Research are backing the AI push.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The ChatGPT developer got its biggest backing from Amazon.com as it looks to lessen its dependence on Microsoft.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

That includes backing a replacement for the University Hospital of Wales.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

No one needed his blessing to enter the race, or his backing to sustain their candidacy.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

But Reg stuck to his decision, backing up into his friends and crossing his arms.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

Related Words

• advocacy
• aid
• assistance
• encouragement
• endorsement
• help
• sponsorship
• subsidy