back
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• adjective
Located at or near the rear, or away from the front or main entrance.
"The children ran out through the back door into the garden."
Relating to a past time, or remaining unpaid or overdue from an earlier period.
"The landlord demanded three months of back rent before renewing the lease."
Remote, subsidiary, or removed from main thoroughfares and centers of activity.
"We took several quiet back roads to avoid the holiday highway traffic."
• adverb
Toward the rear, or in the opposite direction from which one is facing or moving.
"She took a step back to admire the entire painting."
To or in a former place, condition, or state.
"Please put the reference books back on the shelf when you finish."
In return, reply, or reciprocation.
"I left a message this morning, and she called me back an hour later."
Into or in the past.
"Their family history in the region stretches back several centuries."
• noun
The rear surface of the human body from the shoulders to the hips, or the upper dorsal surface of an animal's body supported by the spine.
"He stretched his back after sitting at the desk for several hours."
The side or part of an object, building, or area that is furthest from the front or less often seen or used.
"Please write your contact information on the back of the form."
The upright part of a chair or sofa that supports a seated person's spine.
"She draped her coat over the back of the wooden chair."
A player in a team sport, such as football, rugby, or soccer, positioned behind the forwards primarily for defense or ball handling.
"The defensive back intercepted the pass near the goal line."
• verb
To give financial, material, or moral support to a person, project, or cause.
"Several prominent investors agreed to back the renewable energy startup."
To move or cause a vehicle or person to move backward.
"He carefully backed the delivery truck into the narrow loading bay."
To provide musical accompaniment for a lead singer or soloist.
"A seasoned jazz quartet backed the vocalist during her concert tour."
To cover or reinforce the rear surface of an object with a protective or strengthening layer.
"The weaver backed the delicate tapestry with heavy linen canvas."
• Rhymes for back
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English bæc ('back'), derived from Proto-Germanic *baką, which shares roots with Old Norse bak and Old Saxon bak.