SUPPORT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does support mean? 

• SUPPORT (noun)
  The noun SUPPORT has 11 senses:

1. the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

2. aiding the cause or policy or interests of

3. something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest

4. a military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission

5. documentary validation

6. the financial means whereby one lives

7. supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation

8. the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening

9. a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts

10. any device that bears the weight of another thing

11. financial resources provided to make some project possible

  Familiarity information: SUPPORT used as a noun is familiar.

• SUPPORT (verb)
  The verb SUPPORT has 11 senses:

1. give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to

2. support materially or financially

3. be behind; approve of

4. be the physical support of; carry the weight of

5. establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts

6. adopt as a belief

7. support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm

8. argue or speak in defense of

9. play a subordinate role to (another performer)

10. be a regular customer or client of

11. put up with something or somebody unpleasant

  Familiarity information: SUPPORT used as a verb is familiar.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SUPPORT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

they gave him emotional support during difficult times

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

maintenance; sustainment; sustenance; sustentation; upkeep (the act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence)

logistic assistance; logistic support (assistance between and within military commands)

Derivation:

support (support materially or financially)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Aiding the cause or policy or interests of

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

they developed a scheme of mutual support

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

aid; assist; assistance; help (the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

adherence; adhesion; attachment (faithful support for a cause or political party or religion)

advocacy; protagonism (active support of an idea or cause etc.; especially the act of pleading or arguing for something)

sponsorship (the act of sponsoring (either officially or financially))

endorsement; indorsement (the act of endorsing)

approval; approving; blessing (the formal act of approving)

reassurance (the act of reassuring; restoring someone's confidence)

Derivation:

support (adopt as a belief)

support (argue or speak in defense of)

support (be behind; approve of)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Context example:

the team enjoyed the support of their fans

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

influence (a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

anchor; backbone; keystone; linchpin; lynchpin; mainstay (a central cohesive source of support and stability)

lifeline (support that enables people to survive or to continue doing something (often by providing an essential connection))

Derivation:

support (give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

reenforcement; reinforcement; support

Context example:

they called for artillery support

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

military operation; operation (activity by a military or naval force (as a maneuver or campaign))

Domain category:

armed forces; armed services; military; military machine; war machine (the military forces of a nation)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

close support (close-in firing by one unit against an enemy engaged by another unit)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Documentary validation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

documentation; support

Context example:

the strongest support for this view is the work of Jones

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

proof; substantiation; validation (the act of validating; finding or testing the truth of something)

Derivation:

support (support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm)

support (establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts)

Sense 6

Meaning:

The financial means whereby one lives

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Synonyms:

bread and butter; keep; livelihood; living; support; sustenance

Context example:

he could no longer earn his own livelihood

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

resource (available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

amenities; comforts; conveniences; creature comforts (things that make you comfortable and at ease)

maintenance (means of maintenance of a family or group)

meal ticket (a source of income or livelihood)

subsistence (minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting)

Derivation:

support (support materially or financially)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Context example:

the statue stood on a marble support

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

supporting structure (a structure that serves to support something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

abutment (a masonry support that touches and directly receives thrust or pressure of an arch or bridge)

architrave (the lowest part of an entablature; rests immediately on the capitals of the columns)

basement (the ground floor facade or interior in Renaissance architecture)

buttress; buttressing (a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building)

base; foot; foundation; fundament; groundwork; substructure; understructure (lowest support of a structure)

footstall; pedestal; plinth (an architectural support or base (as for a column or statue))

prop (a support placed beneath or against something to keep it from shaking or falling)

Derivation:

support (be the physical support of; carry the weight of)

Sense 8

Meaning:

The act of bearing the weight of or strengthening

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

support; supporting

Context example:

he leaned against the wall for support

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

propping up; shoring; shoring up (the act of propping up with shores)

dangling; hanging; suspension (the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely))

Derivation:

support (be the physical support of; carry the weight of)

Sense 9

Meaning:

A musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

accompaniment; backup; musical accompaniment; support

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

part; voice (the melody carried by a particular voice or instrument in polyphonic music)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

descant; discant (a decorative musical accompaniment (often improvised) added above a basic melody)

vamp (an improvised musical accompaniment)

Derivation:

support (play a subordinate role to (another performer))

Sense 10

Meaning:

Any device that bears the weight of another thing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Context example:

there was no place to attach supports for a shelf

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "support"):

andiron; dog; dog-iron; firedog (metal supports for logs in a fireplace)

arch support (a support for the arch of the foot)

back; backrest (a support that you can lean against while sitting)

backboard (a board used to support the back of someone or something)

baluster (one of a number of closely spaced supports for a railing)

bar (a horizontal rod that serves as a support for gymnasts as they perform exercises)

base; pedestal; stand (a support or foundation)

bearing (a rotating support placed between moving parts to allow them to move easily)

bearing wall (any wall supporting a floor or the roof of a building)

bedpost (any of 4 vertical supports at the corners of a bedstead)

bookend (a support placed at the end of a row of books to keep them upright (on a shelf or table))

brace (a support that steadies or strengthens something else)

bracket; wall bracket (a support projecting from a wall (as to hold a shelf))

bridge (a wooden support that holds the strings up)

foot (a support resembling a pedal extremity)

foothold; footing (a place providing support for the foot in standing or climbing)

handrest (a support for the hand)

hanger (anything from which something can be hung)

harness (a support consisting of an arrangement of straps for holding something to the body (especially one supporting a person suspended from a parachute))

harp (a pair of curved vertical supports for a lampshade)

headstock (the stationary support in a machine or power tool that supports and drives a revolving part (as a chuck or the spindle on a lathe))

leg (one of the supports for a piece of furniture)

perch (support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird))

pier (a support for two adjacent bridge spans)

pier ((architecture) a vertical supporting structure (as a portion of wall between two doors or windows))

pillow block (a cast-iron or steel block for supporting a journal or bearing)

rack; stand (a support for displaying various articles)

rest (a support on which things can be put)

rib (support resembling the rib of an animal)

rocker (a curved support that permits the supported object to rock to and fro)

seat (any support where you can sit (especially the part of a chair or bench etc. on which you sit))

shelf (a support that consists of a horizontal surface for holding objects)

radius; spoke; wheel spoke (support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim)

stair; step (support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway)

stirrup; stirrup iron (support consisting of metal loops into which rider's feet go)

gunstock; stock (the handle of a handgun or the butt end of a rifle or shotgun or part of the support of a machine gun or artillery gun)

structural member (support that is a constituent part of any structure or building)

tailstock (support consisting of the movable part of a lathe that slides along the bed in alignment with the headstock and is locked into position to support the free end of the workpiece)

football tee; tee (support holding a football on end and above the ground preparatory to the kickoff)

undercarriage (framework that serves as a support for the body of a vehicle)

yoke (support consisting of a wooden frame across the shoulders that enables a person to carry buckets hanging from each end)

Derivation:

support (be the physical support of; carry the weight of)

Sense 11

Meaning:

Financial resources provided to make some project possible

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Synonyms:

backing; financial backing; financial support; funding; support

Context example:

the foundation provided support for the experiment

Hypernyms ("support" is a kind of...):

resource (available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed)

Derivation:

support (support materially or financially)

• SUPPORT (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

back up; support

Context example:

Her children always backed her up

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

sponsor (assume responsibility for or leadership of)

buy at; frequent; patronise; patronize; shop; shop at; sponsor (do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of)

aid; assist; help (give help or assistance; be of service)

advance; boost; encourage; further; promote (contribute to the progress or growth of)

root (cheer for)

undergird (lend moral support to)

back; endorse; indorse; second (give support or one's approval to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

Sam cannot support Sue

Derivation:

support (something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest)

supporter (a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose)

supporter (someone who supports or champions something)

supportive (furnishing support or assistance)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Support materially or financially

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Context example:

The scholarship supported me when I was in college

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

give (transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

fund (furnish money for)

subsidise; subsidize (support through subsidies)

bring home the bacon; provide (supply means of subsistence; earn a living)

see through (support financially through a period of time)

patronise; patronize; sponsor (assume sponsorship of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

support (the financial means whereby one lives)

support (financial resources provided to make some project possible)

support (the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Be behind; approve of

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

back; endorse; indorse; plump for; plunk for; support

Context example:

I backed Kennedy in 1960

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

approve; O.K.; okay; sanction (give sanction to)

Verb group:

back; endorse; indorse; second (give support or one's approval to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

guarantee; warrant (stand behind and guarantee the quality, accuracy, or condition of)

champion; defend (protect or fight for as a champion)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

support (aiding the cause or policy or interests of)

supporter (a person who backs a politician or a team etc.)

supportive (furnishing support or assistance)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Be the physical support of; carry the weight of

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

hold; hold up; support; sustain

Context example:

What's holding that mirror?

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

scaffold (provide with a scaffold for support)

block (support, secure, or raise with a block)

carry (bear or be able to bear the weight, pressure,or responsibility of)

chock (support on chocks)

buoy; buoy up (keep afloat)

pole (support on poles)

bracket (support with brackets)

underpin (support from beneath)

prop; prop up; shore; shore up (support by placing against something solid or rigid)

truss (support structurally)

brace (support by bracing)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

support (the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening)

support (any device that bears the weight of another thing)

support (supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation)

supporter (a band (usually elastic) worn around the leg to hold up a stocking (or around the arm to hold up a sleeve))

supporting (the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

affirm; confirm; corroborate; substantiate; support; sustain

Context example:

The evidence supports the defendant

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

back; back up (establish as valid or genuine)

vouch (give supporting evidence)

verify (confirm the truth of)

demonstrate; establish; prove; shew; show (establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment)

document (support or supply with references)

validate (prove valid; show or confirm the validity of something)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

support (documentary validation)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Adopt as a belief

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

subscribe; support

Context example:

I subscribe to your view on abortion

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

agree; concord; concur; hold (be in accord; be in agreement)

"Support" entails doing...:

approve; O.K.; okay; sanction (give sanction to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

support (aiding the cause or policy or interests of)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

bear out; corroborate; support; underpin

Context example:

The stories and claims were born out by the evidence

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

agree; check; correspond; fit; gibe; jibe; match; tally (be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

support (documentary validation)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Argue or speak in defense of

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

defend; fend for; support

Context example:

She supported the motion to strike

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

argue; reason (present reasons and arguments)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

apologise; apologize; excuse; rationalise; rationalize (defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning)

take sides with; take someone's side (support someone (as in an argument))

stand up; stick up (defend against attack or criticism)

uphold (stand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

supportive (furnishing support or assistance)

supporter (a person who backs a politician or a team etc.)

support (aiding the cause or policy or interests of)

supporter (someone who supports or champions something)

Sense 9

Meaning:

Play a subordinate role to (another performer)

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

Olivier supported Gielgud beautifully in the second act

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

act; play; represent (play a role or part)

Domain category:

dramatic art; dramatics; dramaturgy; theater; theatre (the art of writing and producing plays)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

support (a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts)

Sense 10

Meaning:

Be a regular customer or client of

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

keep going; patronage; patronise; patronize; support

Context example:

Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

foster; nurture (help develop, help grow)

Verb group:

keep going; run on (continue uninterrupted)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

supporter (someone who supports or champions something)

Sense 11

Meaning:

Put up with something or somebody unpleasant

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

abide; bear; brook; digest; endure; put up; stand; stick out; stomach; suffer; support; tolerate

Context example:

She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage

Hypernyms (to "support" is one way to...):

allow; countenance; let; permit (consent to, give permission)

Verb group:

suffer (experience (emotional) pain)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "support"):

accept; live with; swallow (tolerate or accommodate oneself to)

hold still for; stand for (tolerate or bear)

bear up (endure cheerfully)

take lying down (suffer without protest; suffer or endure passively)

take a joke (listen to a joke at one's own expense)

sit out (endure to the end)

pay (bear (a cost or penalty), in recompense for some action)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

 Context examples 

I shall be no support to Mrs. Weston.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

If you bend your back and support yourself upon the wall, I think that I can manage.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He held on to the bar, his legs wobbling under him, Martin's arm around him and supporting him, while he thought.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

He was devoted to Henrietta; always turning towards her; and when he spoke at all, always with the view of supporting her hopes and raising her spirits.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Madam, I support you on this point, as on every other.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I have many things to support me.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

It was a sleep-walker Maud guided and supported.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Her spirit supported her, but the agony of her mind was severe.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Some earlier studies do support the idea of a link between oral health and Alzheimer's.

(New Link Found between Alzheimer's & Gum Disease Bacteria, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Mars will be in support of three different planets this month, so I will list them for you now.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)