backup
backup — noun
1. extra help, a second person or thing, or a spare arrangement kept ready when the
extra help, a second person or thing, or a spare arrangement kept ready when the first choice cannot do the job
We kept a paper map in the car as backup.
pattern: as backup
Mina asked her cousin to stay nearby for backup.
pattern: for backup
The hotel keeps a generator as backup for summer storms.
When the first speaker lost her voice, Eva was the backup.
be the backup
- backup plan
- backup generator
- call for backup
- as backup
- support
broader and often more continuous, not only for emergencies or second choice.
- reinforcement
often means extra people sent to strengthen a group, especially police or military.
- reserve
stresses something kept ready in advance.
- substitute
focuses on replacing someone or something directly.
Grammar Patterns
as backup
for backup
call for backup
backup plan
Usage Note
Often appears in patterns like as backup, for backup, and backup plan. Distinguish from sense 3, which is only for a reserve player in sport.
Common Mistakes
2. a separate saved version of digital files or other computer material, kept so yo
a separate saved version of digital files or other computer material, kept so you can recover the original after it disappears or stops working properly
Please keep a backup on the cloud and one on disk.
keep a backup
After the crash, Ben restored the photos from a backup.
restore from a backup
The lab makes a fresh backup every Friday night.
make a backup
Without a backup, the lost report was gone forever.
- full backup
- backup copy
- backup file
- restore from a backup
- original
the first working version rather than the safety copy.
Grammar Patterns
make a backup
keep a backup
restore from a backup
backup of files
Usage Note
Usually talks about files, photos, records, systems, or whole devices, and often appears with make, keep, restore, or store. Distinguish from verb sense 2, which names the action of copying the data.
Common Mistakes
3. a team member who joins the game when a regular player cannot play
a team member who joins the game when a regular player cannot play
Our backup scored twice after the captain hurt her ankle.
backup as substitute player
The coach praised the backup for staying ready all season.
By noon, the backup had learned he would start tonight.
the backup starts
Fans cheered when the backup ran onto the wet field.
- backup goalkeeper
- backup quarterback
- backup catcher
- the backup comes on
- substitute
the most general word for a player who replaces another.
- reserve
stresses that the player waits ready on the side.
- alternate
more common in some sports or formal team lists.
- starter
the player who normally begins the game.
Grammar Patterns
the backup starts
backup goalkeeper
backup quarterback
backup comes on
Usage Note
Mostly used in sports and team games. Distinguish from sense 1, where backup can mean any extra help or second plan.
4. a line of traffic, people, or other moving things that grows behind a place wher
a line of traffic, people, or other moving things that grows behind a place where movement has slowed or stopped
A backup on Route 8 stretched past the bridge.
traffic report pattern: a backup on
Morning rain caused a long backup outside the tunnel.
cause a backup
There was a backup at airport security before dawn.
a backup at + place
The broken truck created a backup near the market exit.
- traffic backup
- long backup
- backup on the highway
- backup at security
- jam
common everyday word, especially for road traffic.
- bottleneck
focuses on the narrow point causing the problem.
- congestion
more formal and often used for traffic or crowding in general.
Grammar Patterns
a backup on the highway
a backup at security
cause a backup
traffic backup
Usage Note
Most common in North American traffic reports and news writing. It often names a line of cars or people behind a blocked point, unlike verb sense 1, which describes the movement slowing itself.
backup — adjective
1. used for singers, dancers, musicians, or similar performers who support the main
used for singers, dancers, musicians, or similar performers who support the main act instead of leading it
Jade sang backup vocals during the final chorus.
collocation: backup vocals
The band hired two backup dancers for the tour.
backup + performer noun
A backup guitarist waited beside the stage curtain.
During rehearsals, Omar learned both the lead and backup vocal parts.
- backup singer
- backup dancer
- backup vocals
- backup band
- supporting
broader word for a non-leading role in performance or acting.
- accompanying
often stresses playing or singing along with the lead.
- secondary
describes lower importance, but it is less specific to stage performance.
- lead
describes the main singer, actor, or performer.
Grammar Patterns
backup singer
backup dancer
backup vocals
backup guitarist
Usage Note
Used before nouns such as singer, dancer, vocalist, guitarist, or band. It describes a supporting stage role, not the noun senses about spare help or reserve plans.
Common Mistakes
backup — verb
1. to build up because movement ahead has slowed, stopped, or been blocked
to build up because movement ahead has slowed, stopped, or been blocked
Cars can backup near the bridge after school ends.
intransitive traffic use
If the drain blocks, dirty water may backup overnight.
water backups because of blockage
After the crash, trucks began to backup for miles.
backup for miles
When one gate closes, passengers backup along the hall.
- backup for miles
- backup near the bridge
- backup along the hall
- water backups
- clear
means the traffic, water, or crowd begins moving normally again.
Grammar Patterns
traffic backups
water backups
backup for miles
backup along the road
Usage Note
More often written as two words, back up, in edited English. Subjects are usually traffic, water, people, or other things delayed by a blockage.
Common Mistakes
2. to create a safety copy of digital material so it can still be used later if the
to create a safety copy of digital material so it can still be used later if the original is gone or damaged
Please backup the class photos before you reset the tablet.
backup + files or photos
To avoid data loss, staff backup orders every afternoon.
routine computer action
Before the move, Ken must backup the office laptop files.
Without time to backup the server, Amir postponed the update.
backup before updating
- backup files
- backup photos
- backup the server
- backup to the cloud
Grammar Patterns
backup files
backup photos
backup to the cloud
backup before updating
Usage Note
More often written as two words, back up, in edited English. The object is usually digital material such as files, photos, records, or a whole device. Distinguish from noun sense 2, which names the saved copy itself.
Common Mistakes
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
For noun sense 1, backup means extra help or a second choice kept ready if the first person, plan, or machine cannot do the job. Support is broader and can mean steady help over time, not only emergency help. Reinforcement usually means extra people sent to strengthen a group, especially police, soldiers, or staff. Reserve stresses that something is kept ready in advance, often waiting quietly on the side. Substitute focuses on taking another person's exact place in a role. If your phone dies, a paper ticket can be backup. If the starting teacher is sick, a substitute takes the class.
Etymology
Backup comes from the English verb phrase back up. The older idea was standing behind something to support it or keeping something behind the main one. From that, English developed the noun and adjective for extra help or a spare second choice, and later the computing sense for a saved copy kept in reserve.