backup

plural backups · alternative back-up

1. countableuncountableA reserve or substitute.

   If the goalkeeper is injured, we have a backup.

   Synonyms: stand-in, substitute

2. countableuncountablecomputingA 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.

   After the power failure, we had to restore the database from backup.

3. countableuncountableAn 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.

   The blockage caused a backup in the plumbing.

   1 more example

   The accident caused a mile-long backup on the highway.

   Synonyms: tailback, line

4. uncountablegovernmentReinforcements.

   He's got a gun! You'd better send for backup.

5. broadlyuncountableAny support or extra help.

   This guy, he grabs the dog by the ears, stares it down like a cowboy in a showdown. The man regains control again. He scans the area, hoping for backup. Nothing. No neighbours, no dog whisperers, no animal control.

   2025, Man Attacked by Vicious Pit Bull After Gate Left Open!

   1 more example

   Shaman: My patience is tested, but Uvenk invokes correctly. Grunt, who is your krantt? Your allies willing to kill and die on your behalf? Shepard: How is a candidate tested if he brings backup on his Rite of Passage? Shaman: Not every krogan can be the strongest warrior, but each must inspire his peers to battle at his side. Shaman: If the ones who know you best can find nothing worthy in you, you should wander the wastes and die alone before you weaken my clan.

   2010, BioWare, Mass Effect 2 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Tuchanka

6. uncountableentertainmentAccompaniment.

   Debbie Ahn, on piano, provided some mesmerizing back-up and many fiery, on-target solos.

   1984 April 21, Pam Gordon, “'There's Always Cost': Ferron's Boston Concert”, in Gay Community News, page 17

7. uncountableCorroboration.

   Pg. 206 on Yudit's comments on the feminists of Tel Aviv, "... and now they are translating Our Bodies Ourselves into Hebrew, leaving out the section on gays" was misinformed, a statement made without authoratative ^([sic]) backup in 1979 about a book first published in 1982.

   1982 December 4, Ilana Weinstock, “Letters From My Aunt”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 20, page 4

alternative back-up

1. not comparableStandby, reserve or extra.

   I am only a backup player.

   Synonyms: extra, standby

2. not comparablecomputingThat is intended as a backup.

   Make a backup copy of that file.

3. not comparableSupporting, reinforcing; (music) of or related to accompaniment

   Synonyms: backing

present singular third person backups · participle present backupping · participle past backupped · past backupped · alternative back-up

1. alternativenonstandardcomputingAlternative form of back up.

   We have two methods for backupping: the first one is writing the contents of disks onto magnetic tapes and the other is making a copy of the contents of disks on the disk of the mainframe computers of the laboratory.

   1989, CERN, page 235