backing

Help or support for a person, plan, or organization, especially money.

• The project needs financial backing.
• She won the backing of the committee.
• Without government backing, the scheme may fail.

How to use it: backing from someone/something (The project received backing from local businesses.); backing for something (There is strong backing for the new plan.)

Similar words: support, funding

Opposites: opposition

Common phrases: financial backing, political backing, backing from someone

Material placed behind or beneath something to support, strengthen, or protect it.

• The picture has a cardboard backing.
• Peel off the backing before attaching the label.
• A rubber backing keeps the rug in place.

Similar words: lining, supporting layer

Common phrases: cardboard backing, rubber backing, remove the backing

The act of getting onto a horse or another animal to ride it.

• The horse’s first backing went smoothly.
• Careful backing helps a young horse accept a rider.
• The trainer supervised the backing of the pony.

Similar words: mounting

Opposites: dismounting

Common phrases: backing a horse, first backing, backing of horses

The action of moving something backward or making it move in reverse.

• Careful backing prevented a collision.
• Backing into the garage was difficult.
• The backing of heavy vehicles requires extra care.

How to use it: backing into something (Backing into a narrow space takes practice.)

Similar words: reversing

Common phrases: backing into something, backing of vehicles, careful backing

Helping the main singer or performer by providing additional music or singing.

• She works as a backing singer.
• The backing band played quietly during the verse.
• He recorded the backing vocals yesterday.

Similar words: supporting, accompanying

Common phrases: backing singer, backing vocals, backing band