backing

Pluralbackings (some meanings)

1. 1
   noununcountable

   Support given to a person, project, or cause, especially in the form of money.

   The campaign secured financial backing from several major donors.

   Her proposal won the backing of the entire committee.

   Similarsupport, funding, sponsorship, endorsement, approval

   Oppositeopposition

   Note

   Every meaning of this word is back plus -ing, the act or result of backing. Here someone stands behind a person or plan, most often with money. It pairs with from or of: backing from the city, the backing of the committee. It usually works as a mass noun (enough backing), but it can also be counted when particular sponsors are meant, so a project may have several backings.

2. 2
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A layer of material attached behind or underneath something, often to strengthen or protect it.

   The carpet's foam backing adds welcome cushioning underfoot.

   Conservators replaced the painting's torn canvas backing.

   Similarlining, underlay

   Note

   A layer that usually works out of sight, though not always. On the brass numberplates Norman Jones describes in Trains Illustrated (1959), a red backing shows around the figures as part of the locomotive's look. Railway Magazine (1957) reports an old print reused as a backing for writing time sheets. The material normally comes first in the phrase: cardboard backing, foam backing, canvas backing.

3. 3
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The group of musicians and vocalists who support the lead performer.

   The lead vocalist sang over a steady backing of brass and percussion.

   Their live backing gave the slow ballad a much fuller sound.

   Similaraccompaniment

   Note

   A collective word for the accompaniment as a whole: a backing of brass and percussion, a live backing. It names the players and their sound together, the harmonic and rhythmic floor beneath the lead line. When it stands before another noun, it becomes the adjective, as in backing band or backing vocals.

4. 4
   adjective

   Serving to support the lead performer rather than taking the lead.

   The backing band kept perfect time behind the soloist.

   He recorded the backing harmonies in a single take.

   Similarsupporting, backup, accompanying

   Oppositelead

   Note

   The musical sense placed before a noun: backing band, backing harmonies, backing vocals. It cannot be graded. A part is either backing or lead, and no part is more backing than another. For the accompanying players taken as a group, use the collective noun instead.

5. 5
   noununcountable

   The act of moving something backward, or of putting a vehicle into reverse.

   The driver's slow backing into the tight space drew a small crowd.

   Repeated backing of the boat onto the trailer wore down the ramp.

   Similarreversing

6. 6
   nouncountable

   A backdrop placed behind a stage or film set to create the scene.

   The director ordered a darker backing to suggest a stormy night.

   A hand-painted backing transformed the small stage into a palace hall.

   Similarbackdrop, backcloth

   Note

   A set-builder's word for what keeps the camera from seeing past the scenery. Gerald Millerson's TV Scenic Design (2013) calls a scenic backing the simplest and cheapest way to restrict the shot and hide whatever lies outside it. He sets it beside the backdrop, the drape and flats. In the studio it can be painted or projected, and it serves as much as a screen as a picture.

7. 7
   noununcountable

   The act of mounting a horse or other animal in order to ride.

   The trainer supervised the careful backing of the nervous colt.

   Gentle handling made the backing of the filly almost effortless.

8. 8
   verb

   Present participle and gerund of back.

   The senator is backing the proposed reforms despite heavy criticism.

   Backing the trailer into the garage took real skill.

   Note

   The -ing form of the verb, spelled like the nouns that grew from it. Its everyday uses follow the verb's two main meanings: transitive backing a reform, and intransitive backing out of a space. The verb also has specialist uses. Sailors backing the yards slow the ship, and a wind that is backing shifts anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern.

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