What does "support" mean?
Something which supports.
Support
/səˈpɔːt/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Top 500 ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Something which supports.
- Grammar: support is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: backing, basis, brace, reinforcement.
- Useful contrasts: academic dissent case, anti-environmental, apparent claim.
- Usage evidence: You are now old enough to support yourself.
How to use "support"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "support" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "support" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "support" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "support" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "support" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "backing" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "support", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Something which supports. attributive, countable, sometimes, uncountable
"Don't move that beam! It's a support for the whole platform."
- 2 documentary validation wordnet
- 3 Financial or other help. countable, uncountable
"The government provides support to the arts in several ways."
- 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 wordnet
- 5 Answers to questions and resolution of problems regarding something sold. countable, uncountable
"Sure they sell the product, but do they provide support?"
Show 18 more definitions
- 6 the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening wordnet
- 7 in relation to a function, the set of points where the function is not zero; the closure of that set. countable, uncountable
- 8 aiding the cause or policy or interests of wordnet
- 9 A set whose elements are at least partially included in a given fuzzy set (i.e., whose grade of membership in that fuzzy set is strictly greater than zero). countable, uncountable
"If the membership function of a fuzzy set is continuous, then that fuzzy set's support is an open set."
- 10 the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities wordnet
- 11 The set of all prime ideals of R such that the localization of M at the prime is nonzero, denoted operatorname SuppM countable, uncountable
- 12 any device that bears the weight of another thing wordnet
- 13 Evidence. countable, uncountable
"The new research provides further support for our theory."
- 14 supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation wordnet
- 15 Compatibility and functionality for a given product or feature. countable, uncountable
"This game has no mouse support."
- 16 something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest wordnet
- 17 An actor playing a subordinate part with a star. countable, uncountable
- 18 a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts wordnet
- 19 An accompaniment in music. countable, uncountable
- 20 the financial means whereby one lives wordnet
- 21 Clipping of support position. abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, countable, uncountable
"Dip down as far as you are able, aiming to descend to the bottom of your sternum. Press back up to a support."
- 22 financial resources provided to make some project possible wordnet
- 23 Horizontal, vertical or rotational support of structures: movable, hinged, fixed. countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To help keep from falling. transitive
"Don’t move that beam! It supports the whole platform."
- 2 establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts wordnet
- 3 To back or favor a cause, party, etc., mentally or with concrete aid transitive
"I support France in the World Cup."
- 4 put up with something or somebody unpleasant wordnet
- 5 To provide sustenance or maintenance for; to sustain in integrity or livelihood. transitive
"Mars does not currently support human habitation."
Show 17 more definitions
- 6 adopt as a belief wordnet
- 7 To help, particularly financially; to subsidize. transitive
"The government supports the arts in several ways."
- 8 argue or speak in defense of wordnet
- 9 To provide evidence for; to lend credibility to. transitive
"The testimony is not sufficient to support the charges."
- 10 be a regular customer or client of wordnet
- 11 To serve, as in a customer-oriented position; to give support to. transitive
"The IT Department supports the research organization, but not the sales force."
- 12 be the physical support of; carry the weight of wordnet
- 13 To assist or be involved with, but not be responsible for. transitive
"I support the administrative activities of the executive branch of the organization."
- 14 play a subordinate role to (another performer) wordnet
- 15 To answer questions and resolve problems regarding something sold. transitive
"Sure they sell the product, but do they support it?"
- 16 support materially or financially wordnet
- 17 To be designed to provide capacity for; to work or be compatible with (a part, accessory, file type, program, algorithm, etc.). transitive, usually
"Early personal computers did not support voice-recognition hardware or software."
- 18 be behind; approve of wordnet
- 19 To endure without being overcome; bear; undergo; tolerate. archaic, transitive
"This fierce demeanour and his insolence / The patience of a god could not support."
- 20 give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to wordnet
- 21 To play a lesser part in the same production with (a star performer). transitive
"to support the character of King Lear"
- 22 support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"You are now old enough to support yourself."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "support"?
Common synonyms include: backing, basis, brace, reinforcement, a-frame, abet.
How do you use "support" in a sentence?
You are now old enough to support yourself.
How do you pronounce "support"?
Pronounced /səˈpɔːt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English supporten, from Old French supporter, from Latin supportō.
Etymology 2
From Middle English support, from Anglo-Norman and Middle French support. Displaced Old English wraþu.
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