support

[ suh-pawrt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to bear or hold up (a load, mass, structure, part, etc.); serve as a foundation for:

   Don’t take down this dividing wall, as it supports the roof.

2. to sustain or withstand (weight, pressure, strain, speed, etc.) without giving way:

   The specs on this folding chair say it can support up to 200 pounds.

   The circuit breaker was not able to support the electrical requirements of three appliances.

3. to encourage, comfort, help, etc., under trial or affliction; sustain:

   They supported him throughout his ordeal.

4. to maintain (a person, family, establishment, institution, etc.) by supplying with things necessary to existence; provide for:

   It is next to impossible to support a family on such a low salary.

5. to give financial assistance to (a person, organization, program, etc.); be a contributor to or patron of:

   I try to support the local theater by buying season tickets every year.

   Our scholarship fund supports a number of students from lower-income families.

6. Computers. (of a manufacturer) to provide regular updates, troubleshooting, service, etc., for (a program or device):

   They’re no longer supporting this version of the operating system.

7. to uphold (a person, cause, policy, etc.) by aid, public approval, one's vote, etc.; back; second:

   He was unable to support the resolution, but did not speak out against it either.

   Which candidate do you support in the City Council race?

8. to maintain or advocate (a theory, principle, etc.):

   Many viewers support the theory that the housekeeper will turn out to be the murderer.

9. to corroborate (a statement, opinion, etc.):

   Leading doctors supported his testimony.

10. to act with or second (a lead performer); assist in performance:

    The star was supported by a talented newcomer.

11. to undergo or endure, especially with patience or submission; tolerate:

    How do you support the constant drama in this office?

    Synonyms: stomach, stand, bear, suffer

noun

1. the act or an instance of sustaining, upholding, helping, advocating for, etc.:

   Without emotional support I would never have made it through.

   Support for the party is growing among younger voters.

2. something that serves as a foundation, prop, brace, or stay:

   Those L-brackets are the supports for the shelf.

3. maintenance, such as of a person or family, with necessities, means, or funds:

   He paid for the support of the orphans until they completed their education.

   Synonyms: keep, subsistence, sustenance

4. a person or thing that supports, as financially:

   The pension was his only support.

5. a person or thing that gives aid, encouragement, etc.:

   You have been such a support to me over this challenging time.

   The revised edition also includes updated daily lesson plans, sample tests, and other curricular supports.

6. Digital Technology. a department, team, or individual that offers troubleshooting, instruction, assistance, etc., to users:

   If you’re still having trouble signing in, contact support at the number below.

7. Computers. regular updates, troubleshooting, service, etc., by a manufacturer for a piece of software or hardware:

   Support for this application has been withdrawn.

8. an actor, actress, or group performing with a lead performer.
9. the material, such as canvas or wood, on which a picture is painted.
10. Stock Exchange. support level.

adjective

1. serving to assist, such as by providing instruction or solving problems, managing administrative tasks, supplementing the activities of colleagues, etc.:

   Teachers are calling for smaller class sizes and more support personnel in the classroom.

   You will be acting in a support role to the executive director.

2. (of socks or stockings) made with elasticized fibers so as to fit snugly on the legs, thereby aiding circulation, relieving fatigue, etc.:

   She wears support stockings for varicose veins.

support

/ səˈpɔːt /

verb

1. to carry the weight of
2. to bear or withstand (pressure, weight, etc)
3. to provide the necessities of life for (a family, person, etc)
4. to tend to establish (a theory, statement, etc) by providing new facts; substantiate
5. to speak in favour of (a motion)
6. to give aid or courage to
7. to give approval to (a cause, principle, etc); subscribe to

   to support a political candidature

8. to endure with forbearance

   I will no longer support bad behaviour

9. to give strength to; maintain

   to support a business

10. tr (in a concert) to perform earlier than (the main attraction)
11. films theatre
    1. to play a subordinate role to
    2. to accompany (the feature) in a film programme
12. to act or perform (a role or character)

noun

1. the act of supporting or the condition of being supported
2. a thing that bears the weight or part of the weight of a construction
3. a person who or thing that furnishes aid
4. the means of maintenance of a family, person, etc
5. a band or entertainer not topping the bill
6. the support
   an actor or group of actors playing subordinate roles
7. med an appliance worn to ease the strain on an injured bodily structure or part
8. the solid material on which a painting is executed, such as canvas
9. See athletic support

Derived Forms

• supˈportless, adjective

Other Words From

• sup·port·ing·ly adverb
• non·sup·port·ing adjective
• pre·sup·port noun verb (used with object)
• pro·sup·port adjective
• qua·si-sup·port·ed adjective
• un·der·sup·port noun
• un·sup·port·ed adjective
• un·sup·port·ed·ly adverb
• un·sup·port·ing adjective
• well-sup·port·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of support¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (for the verb) Middle English supporten, from Middle French supporter, from Medieval Latin supportāre “to endure” ( Latin: “to convey”), from sup- sup- + portāre “to carry” ( port ⁵ ); noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of support¹

C14: from Old French supporter, from Latin supportāre to bring, from sub- up + portāre to carry

Example Sentences

Union members authorized the strike with 99% of members voting in support just weeks after filing formal charges with the state’s Public Employment Relations Board alleging bad faith bargaining.

From Los Angeles Times

Teal, who also appeared on stage in “Newsies,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Rent,” first starred in the short film “First Memory” and spent much of his career in supporting roles.

From Los Angeles Times

They’ve been touring stadiums this year in support of their new LP “Saviors.”

From Los Angeles Times

After meeting Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who has Hezbollah’s support to negotiate, Hochstein said he would go to Israel “to try to bring this to a close if we can”.

From BBC

Programs such as crop insurance, commodity support and nutrition assistance are set to expire at the end of the year, heightening the urgency for Congress to take action.

From Salon

Related Words

• aid
• assistance
• backing
• encouragement
• loyalty
• protection
• relief

When To Use

What are other ways to say support?

To support something, as a structure or heavy load, is to bear it or hold it up. To support a person is to supply them with things necessary to existence, or to keep their spirits or courage up under trial or affliction. How is support different from maintain, sustain, and uphold? Find out on Thesaurus.com.