backup

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A reserve or substitute.

   • If the goalkeeper is injured, we have a backup.
2. 2

   A copy of a file or record, stored separately from the original, that can be used to…

   A copy of a file or record, stored separately from the original, that can be used to recover the original if it is damaged or destroyed.

   • After the power failure, we had to restore the database from backup.
3. 3

   An accumulation of material caused by a (partial) obstruction or (complete) blockage of…

   An accumulation of material caused by a (partial) obstruction or (complete) blockage of the flow or movement of the material, or an accumulation of material that causes an overflow due to the flow being greater than the maximum possible flow.

   • The accident caused a mile-long backup on the highway.
   • The blockage caused a backup in the plumbing.
4. ›+ 8 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Reinforcements.

      • He's got a gun! You'd better send for backup.
   2. 5

      Any support or extra help.

      • This guy, he grabs the dog by the ears, stares it down like a cowboy in a showdown. The man regains control again. He scans the area, hoping for backup. Nothing. No neighbours, no dog whisperers, no animal control.
   3. 6

      Accompaniment.

      • Debbie Ahn, on piano, provided some mesmerizing back-up and many fiery, on-target solos.
   4. 7

      Corroboration.

   5. 8

      Standby, reserve or extra.

      • I am only a backup player.
   6. 9

      That is intended as a backup.

      • Make a backup copy of that file.
   7. 10

      Supporting, reinforcing

      Supporting, reinforcing; (music) of or related to accompaniment

   8. 11

      Alternative form of back up.

      • We have two methods for backupping: the first one is writing the contents of disks onto magnetic tapes and the other is making a copy of the contents of disks on the disk of the mainframe computers of the laboratory.

The neighborhood

• synonymreservereserve
• synonymsparereserve