1. Having a back or backing, usually of a specified type
   "The leather-backed chair was both comfortable and stylish"
    
2. (photography) used of film that is coated on the side opposite the emulsion with a substance to absorb light
   "The backed film produced clearer images with less halation"

1. Actively promote or advocate for someone to take on a particular role
   "I backed Kennedy in 1960";
   - endorse, indorse [rare], plump for, support
    
2. Travel backward
   "back into the driveway"; "The car backed up and hit the tree"
    
3. Give support or one's approval to
   "I can't back this plan";
   - second, endorse, indorse [rare]
    
4. Support financial backing for
   "back this enterprise"
    
5. Cause to travel backward
   "back the car into the parking spot"
    
6. Be in back of
   "My garage backs their yard"
    
7. Gamble on something
   "Which horse are you backing?";
   - bet on, gage [archaic], stake, game, punt
    
8. Shift to a counterclockwise direction
   "the wind backed"
    
9. Establish as valid or genuine
   "Can you back up your claims?";
   - back up
    
10. Strengthen by providing with a back or backing
    "They backed the fragile painting with a sturdy frame"

See also: back down, back out, bet, coated, hardback, hardbacked, hardbound, hardcover [N. Amer], high-backed, low-backed, razorback, razor-backed, spiny-backed, stiff-backed, straight-backed

Type of: affirm, approve, back up, bet, cause, change over, confirm, corroborate, finance, get, go, greenlight, green-light, have, induce, lie, locomote, make, move, O.K., OK, okay, play, sanction, shift, stimulate, strengthen, substantiate, support, sustain, switch, toughen, travel, wager

Antonym: advance, backless, look, veer

Encyclopedia: Back, Lewis