backup

Plural: backups

Noun

• A person or thing that can be used if the main one fails.
• an accumulation caused by clogging or a stoppage
  • "a traffic backup on the main street"
  • "he discovered a backup in the toilet"
• someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult)
• a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts
• (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"
• the act of providing approval and support
• A reserve or substitute.
• 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.
• 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.
• Reinforcements.
• Any support or extra help.
• Accompaniment.
• Corroboration.

Adj

• Standby, reserve or extra.
• That is intended as a backup.
• Supporting, reinforcing; (music) of or related to accompaniment

Verb

• Alternative form of back up.

Examples

• After the power failure, we had to restore the database from backup.
• Having an ’S’ tile is the best backup a Scrabble player can have.
• He's got a gun! You'd better send for backup.
• I am only a backup player.
• If the goalkeeper is injured, we have a backup.
• Make a backup copy of that file.
• The accident caused a mile-long backup on the highway.
• The blockage caused a backup in the plumbing.

Synonyms

accompaniment, backing, backup man, championship, computer backup, fill-in, musical accompaniment, patronage, relief, reliever, stand-in, substitute, support, extra, line, reserve, spare, standby, tailback

Anagrams of backup