Overview of noun back_up

The noun backup has 5 senses

• backup -- (an accumulation caused by clogging or a stoppage; "a traffic backup on the main street"; "he discovered a backup in the toilet")


• stand-in, substitute, relief, reliever, backup, backup man, fill-in -- (someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult); "the star had a stand-in for dangerous scenes"; "we need extra employees for summer fill-ins")


• accompaniment, musical accompaniment, backup, support -- (a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts)


• backup, computer backup -- ((computer science) a copy of a file or directory on a separate storage device; "he made a backup in case the original was accidentally damaged or erased")


• backing, backup, championship, patronage -- (the act of providing approval and support; "his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives")

Overview of verb back_up

The verb back up has 5 senses

• support, back up -- (give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to; "She supported him during the illness"; "Her children always backed her up")


• back up, back off, back down -- (move backwards from a certain position; "The bully had to back down")


• back, back up -- (establish as valid or genuine; "Can you back up your claims?")


• back up -- (make a copy of (a computer file) especially for storage in another place as a security copy; "You'd better back up these files!")


• clog, choke off, clog up, back up, congest, choke, foul -- (become or cause to become obstructed; "The leaves clog our drains in the Fall"; "The water pipe is backed up")