backbone
word
Definition
The backbone is the line of bones down the middle of your back (the spine). It can also mean the most important part of something, or strong character.
Usage & Nuances
'Backbone' is used literally for the spine, and figuratively to describe essential parts ('the backbone of the team') or someone's courage and determination ('She has a lot of backbone'). In formal and informal contexts.
Spanish: columna vertebral - espina dorsal - pilar (figurado)Portuguese (BR): coluna vertebral - espinha dorsal - pilar (figurado)Portuguese (PT): coluna vertebral - espinha dorsal - pilar (figurado)Chinese (Simplified): 脊柱 - 骨干 (比喻，支柱)Chinese (Traditional): 脊椎 - 骨幹 (比喻，支柱)Hindi: रीढ़ की हड्डी - मुख्य आधार (रूपक)Arabic: عمود فقري - أساس (مجازي)Bengali: মেরুদণ্ড - সাপোর্ট (প্রধান অংশ) - সাহস (আচরণ)Russian: позвоночник - основа (главная часть) - сила духаJapanese: 背骨 - 中心的存在 - 根幹 (比喩的)Vietnamese: xương sống - trụ cột - nghị lựcKorean: 척추 - 중심 - 의지력Turkish: omurga - temel (ana unsur) - kararlılıkUrdu: ریڑھ کی ہڈی - بنیاد - حوصلہIndonesian: tulang belakang - inti (bagian terpenting) - keteguhan
Example Sentences
The human backbone protects the spinal cord.
basic
Fish have a backbone, but insects do not.
basic
She broke her backbone in an accident.
basic
Teachers are the backbone of the education system.
natural
She showed real backbone when things got tough.
natural
Local businesses are the backbone of the community.
natural