Back

/bæk/

Definition & Meaning of "back"

back

ADVERB

in or to the direction behind us

about

around

backward

rearward

Example

He stepped back to give his friend more room to dance.

She glanced back to see if anyone was following her.

in or toward a previous location

Example

After years abroad, he moved back to his hometown.

She ran back to grab her forgotten wallet.

in or toward a prior state or condition

Example

After a short break, he went back to writing his essay.

The store returned the defective item back to the supplier.

to a previous time or an earlier point in history

backward

Example

She looked back at her childhood with fond memories.

The company has come a long way since going back to its original ideas.

4.1

to a point in time earlier than the present

ago

past

back

since

Example

I have n’t seen her since several years back.

He moved to another city a few months back.

in response or as a return to a previous statement or action

again

Example

He sent a message back to confirm the meeting time.

She wrote back immediately after receiving my email.

in response to a previous action, often to return something or retaliate

Example

She paid back the money she borrowed last week.

He punched me, and I hit him back.

in a position where something or someone is being prevented from acting freely

Example

He wanted to fight, but his friends held him back.

She was holding back tears during the meeting.

Back

NOUN

the part of our body between our neck and our legs that we cannot see

dorsum

What is "back"?

The back is the posterior region of the human body, extending from the shoulders to the buttocks. It comprises the spine, muscles, ligaments, and other supporting structures. The back provides stability, protection, and flexibility, allowing for a wide range of movements and supporting the body's weight. It plays a vital role in posture, balance, and the overall functioning of the musculoskeletal system. The back is a complex and essential part of the human body, contributing to both physical strength and mobility, as well as serving as a canvas for self-expression through art and body adornments.

Example

He bent his back to lift the heavy box.

He wore a brace to support his injured back.

the side or part of something that is not normally seen

reverse

Example

The back of the mirror was covered in dust.

She stuck a sticker on the back of the notebook.

the side or part of something that faces away from the front

back end

backside

bottom

end

rear

Example

She stored the extra chairs at the back of the room.

The back of the stage was used for prop storage.

a surface or support that provides stability or rest when seated

Example

The back of the chair was padded for extra comfort.

He leaned against the back of the sofa, looking out the window.

a football player who runs, blocks, or catches the ball

Who is a "back"?

A back in football is a player who has several key roles, such as running with the ball, blocking for teammates, or catching passes. They often start behind the offensive line and are used to move the ball forward either by carrying it themselves or by helping set up other players for successful plays. There are different types of backs, such as running backs, who focus mainly on running with the ball, and fullbacks, who may block defenders to protect other players or catch passes. Their main goal is to help the team move the ball down the field and score.

Example

The back ran the ball for a 50-yard gain.

As a back, he was known for his ability to evade tacklers.

a reference to feeling burdened by expectations or demands

Example

I ca n’t focus with everyone constantly on my back.

She felt like the whole team ’s mistakes fell squarely on her back.

back

ADJECTIVE

located behind or toward the rear

posterior

rear

Example

The back entrance to the building is less crowded.

The back row of seats in the theater offers a good view of the stage.

situated on or near the posterior side of an animal's body

hind

Example

The horse ’s back legs were visibly stronger than its front ones.

The lion used its powerful back paws to leap across the stream.

from a previous time

antecedent

preceding

prior

Example

I found back issues of the magazine in the attic.

He referred to back reports for his research.

to back

VERB

to support someone or something

accommodate

aid

back up

help

stay

Example

The team decided to back their captain's decision during the crucial match.

The teacher encouraged students to back their ideas with evidence and thoughtful arguments.

to move in a backward direction

back up

reverse

Intransitive

Example

The car began to back down the driveway.

The truck backed slowly toward the loading dock.

to move a vehicle backward

reverse

Transitive

Example

He backed the car into the garage.

She backed the truck out of the driveway carefully.

to provide money or resources to support a business, project, or person

fund

support

Example

The bank backed the new startup with a loan.

She decided to back the charity's fundraising campaign.

to confirm, support, or provide evidence that something is legitimate or true

back up

corroborate

substantiate

support

validate

Example

The scientist backed the theory with concrete evidence from multiple experiments.

The historian backed her claims with authenticated documents.

to reinforce or support something by providing additional structure

Example

The team backed the structure with steel beams for extra stability.

The design was backed by a solid foundation to ensure durability.

(of the wind) to change direction in a counterclockwise movement

Example

The wind began to back, bringing cooler air from the north.

As the storm approached, the wind backed steadily throughout the evening.

to place a bet on a particular outcome or event to occur

put money on

Example

He decided to back the underdog in the race, hoping for a big payout.

She backed the home team to win the championship.

to be located behind something

Transitive

Example

The restaurant backs a scenic river, offering beautiful views from the patio.

Her house backs a large park, making it easy to go for walks.

to play instruments or vocals in support of a lead performer

accompany

Example

The talented band backed the singer during her live performance.

He often backs local artists at open mic nights.

to apply a material to the rear side of an object

Example

The craftsman backed the wooden panel with felt to prevent scratches.

She backed the photo with a sturdy frame for display.

to pair a primary track with a secondary one on the same record

Example

The hit single was backed with an instrumental version on the flip side.

Their latest release is backed with an unreleased live track.

Nearby Words

back against the wall

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Definition & Meaning of "back"

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