Backbone is an English word with synonyms like spine or fortitude. Below you'll find 10+ example sentences showing how it's used in practice.
Backbone meaning
- The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.
- Any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure.
- Courage, fortitude, or strength.
Synonyms of Backbone
Using Backbone
- The main meaning on this page is: The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals. | Any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure. | Courage, fortitude, or strength.
- Useful related words include: spine, spinal column, fortitude, gumption.
- In the example corpus, backbone often appears in combinations such as: the backbone, backbone of, backbone for.
Context around Backbone
- Average sentence length in these examples: 21.3 words
- Position in the sentence: 1 start, 9 middle, 10 end
- Sentence types: 20 statements, 0 questions, 0 exclamations
Corpus analysis for Backbone
- In this selection, "backbone" usually appears near the end of the sentence. The average example has 21.3 words, and this corpus slice is mostly made up of statements.
- Around the word, choice, true and hydrogen stand out and add context to how "backbone" is used.
- Recognizable usage signals include form the backbone of the and an impressive backbone of 50. That gives this page its own corpus information beyond isolated example sentences.
- By corpus frequency, "backbone" sits close to words such as consultants, inmate and oversees, which helps place it inside the broader word index.
Example types with backbone
The same corpus examples are grouped by length and sentence type, making it easier to see the contexts in which the word appears:
He is the backbone of our team. (7 words)
Engineers are the backbone of development and technology. (8 words)
Diverse businesses are the backbone of many of communities. (9 words)
Irvinestown’s Oisin Swift will captain the squad and he will be backed up by a leadership group of five vice-captains: Michael Burns, Dara Cathcart, Caelan Jones, Mattie McDermott and Ben Warnock and they will form the backbone of the side. (42 words)
Emily Gibbon, manager at Gloucester Business Improvement District (BID), said: “Small businesses make up 95 per cent of all UK businesses and are the backbone of our local economy here in Gloucester. (32 words)
As the navigational star family Kekaomakali‘i prepares to set in Komohana (the west), the next navigational star family — Kaiwikuamo‘o, the backbone — will rise in Hikina (the east). (29 words)
Example sentences (20)
According to the Mayo Clinic, spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the backbone is too small, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
Ah, well, I'm sure that a place that contains a trail feature known as "the Devil's backbone" is fine in a historic winter.
As the navigational star family Kekaomakali‘i prepares to set in Komohana (the west), the next navigational star family — Kaiwikuamo‘o, the backbone — will rise in Hikina (the east).
Backbone is Iowa’s first state park, located near Strawberry Point in eastern Iowa.
Buses have always been the backbone of L.A.’s transit system, carrying four times more passengers than trains.
Community-based field officers, carefully chosen as primary points of contact between the hospital management and the foundation, serve as the backbone of this system.
Costa Rica’s agricultural sector has long been the backbone of its economy, contributing over 5% of the country’s GDP.
Diverse businesses are the backbone of many of communities.
Download logo23rd Eritrean community festival in Australia and New Zealand was colorfully conducted from 13 to 15 January in Melbourne under the theme “Independent Choice-Backbone of Our Pride”.
Emily Gibbon, manager at Gloucester Business Improvement District (BID), said: “Small businesses make up 95 per cent of all UK businesses and are the backbone of our local economy here in Gloucester.
Engineers are the backbone of development and technology.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the state's nurses and midwives were the backbone of the health system and needed to be retained.
He embodies the frustration with the political privileges overshadowing the hard-working Argentine, the true backbone of the nation's growth.
He is the backbone of our team.
I already shared a number of articles with the community around the European Hydrogen Backbone which is gaining traction amongst corporate investors.
In recent years, it’s become increasingly hard to fill seasonal lifeguard positions with teenagers, the backbone of the workforce.
I recognize that each of you are the backbone of this community.
Irvinestown’s Oisin Swift will captain the squad and he will be backed up by a leadership group of five vice-captains: Michael Burns, Dara Cathcart, Caelan Jones, Mattie McDermott and Ben Warnock and they will form the backbone of the side.
It's an overdue message of recognition and appreciation for the often-overlooked individuals who form the backbone of the music industry.
It’s single origin (the Dominican Republic) and a dark milk with an impressive backbone of 50% cocoa.
Common combinations with backbone
These word pairs occur most frequently in English texts:
- the backbone 129×
- backbone of 129×
- backbone for 9×
- backbone and 8×
- backbone to 6×
- backbone is 3×
- no backbone 3×
- is backbone 3×
- backbone in 3×
- of backbone 3×