backing

noun

back·​ing ˈba-kiŋ How to pronounce backing (audio)
plural backings
Synonyms of backingnext
1
: something forming a back
a tape with adhesive backing
2
a
: support, aid
financial backing
… sectarian or ethnic warlords battling for territory, with the backing of sponsors from neighboring countries.—Aparisim Ghosh
b
: the music that is played along with someone who is singing or playing the main tune : the music that accompanies the lead musician
… she plans to record the songs with the backing of an orchestra.—Cortney Harding
c
: endorsement especially of a warrant by a magistrate

Synonyms of backing

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Examples of backing in a Sentence

The tape has an adhesive backing. The project has received financial backing from several investors.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Shannon Taylor, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Henrico County, boasts the cash advantage and establishment backing in the race. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile on the other side of Grant Park, Charli XCX was holding court on the T-Mobile stage with her apt backing band and a bevy of dancers. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2026 Passengers can stretch out and use the seat’s ingenious recline function, which has hard-shell backing and offers a cradling motion that slides the seat forward and up for eight inches of recline without disturbing the flier behind. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026 While lawmakers have mostly thrown their backing behind the bill, some are wary of granting the president even more leeway to impose import taxes as a foreign policy cudgel. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for backing

Word History

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of backing was in 1745

Rhymes for backing

See All Rhymes for backing

Browse Nearby Words

back in action
backing
backing hammer
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Cite this Entry

“Backing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backing. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

backing

noun
back·​ing ˈbak-iŋ How to pronounce backing (audio)
1
: something forming a back
2
a
: support entry 2, aid
b
: musical accompaniment
c
: endorsement sense 3, approval

Medical Definition

backing

noun
back·​ing ˈbak-iŋ How to pronounce backing (audio)
: the metal portion of a dental crown, bridge, or similar structure to which a porcelain or plastic tooth facing is attached

More from Merriam-Webster on backing

Nglish: Translation of backing for Spanish Speakers

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