Backup
WordNet
noun
(1) The act of providing approval and support
"His vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives"
(2) (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"
(3) A subordinate musical part; provides background for more important parts
(4) 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"
(5) An accumulation caused by clogging or a stoppage
"A traffic backup on the main street"
"He discovered a backup in the toilet"
WiktionaryText
Noun
- A reserve or substitute.
- If the goalkeeper is injured, we have a backup.
- A copy of a file or record, stored separately from the original, that can be used to recover the original if it is destroyed or damaged.
- After the power failure, we had to restore the database from backup.
- An accumulation of material that halts the flow or movement of something.
- The blockage caused a backup in the plumbing.
Synonyms
- (reserve): reserve, stand-in, spare, substitute
- (computing: copy of a file or record):
- (accumulation of material that halts flow): block, blockage
Adjective
- standby, reserve or extra
- I am only a backup player.
- That is intended as a backup.
- Make a backup copy of that file.
Usage notes
Back-up is an alternative spelling of backup. Both spellings see usage as noun or adjective. The verb back up is always spelled as two words and never with a hyphen.