An Encylopedia Britannica Company

back

110 ENTRIES FOUND:
1 back /ˈbæk/ noun
plural backs
1 back
/ˈbæk/
noun
plural backs
Britannica Dictionary definition of BACK
[count]
: the rear part of the body : the part of the body that is opposite to the stomach and chest and that goes from the neck to the top of the legs
see picture at human
: the part of an animal that is like a person's back
see also horseback
: the side or surface of something that is opposite the front or face : the rear side or surface of something usually singular
: the side or surface of something (such as a piece of paper) that is not usually used or seen first usually singular
: a place, position, or area that is at or near the rear of something usually singular
: the part of a chair or seat that supports a person's back
: the section of a book, magazine, etc., that includes the last pages usually singular
: the part of a book's cover that can be seen when the book is on a shelf
sports : a player in some games (such as soccer and American football) who is positioned behind the front line of players see also fullback, halfback, quarterback, running back

a pat on the back

see 1pat

a stab in the back

see 1stab

at/in the back of your mind

: in the part of your mind where thoughts and memories are kept used to describe ideas, memories, etc., that someone has but that are not usually thought about or not perfectly remembered

back is to/against the wall

◊ When your back is to/against the wall or you have your back to/against the wall you are in a bad position in which you are forced to do something in order to avoid failure.

back to back

: with backs opposite or against each other
: happening one after the other
see also back-to-back

back to front

of a piece of clothing
: with the back where the front should be

behind someone's back

: without someone's knowledge : in secret

break the back of

: to get control of (something you are trying to stop or defeat) : to greatly weaken or subdue (something)

eyes in the back of your head

see 1eye

get your back up

: to become angry or annoyed and want to fight or argue
compare put someone's back up (below)

have someone's back

see watch someone's back (below)

in back

: in an area at the back of something

in back of

chiefly US
: directly behind (something or someone)

on the back of

: because of (something)
disapproving : by using the efforts of (other people)

on/off your back

◊ Someone who is always or frequently criticizing you or telling you what to do is on your back and won't get off your back.

on your back

◊ If you are (flat) on your back you are lying with your back against the ground, on a bed, etc.
◊ This phrase is sometimes used figuratively.

out back

(US) or chiefly British out the back or round the back
: in the area behind something (such as a building)

put someone's back up

: to offend or annoy someone : to make someone angry or ready to argue
compare get your back up (above)

put your back into

: to work very hard at (something) : to put a lot of effort into (something)

scratch someone's back

see 1scratch

see the back of

◊ In British English, to be glad/happy (etc.) to see the back of someone is to be glad to see someone finally going away.

stab (someone) in the back

see 2stab

the shirt off your back

see shirt

turn your back

: to turn so that you are facing away from someone often + on often used figuratively

watch someone's back

or have someone's back
: to protect someone who is doing something that is dangerous or risky

watch your back

◊ If people tell you to watch your back, they are telling you to be careful.

— backless

/ˈbækləs/ adjective
2 back /ˈbæk/ adverb
2 back
/ˈbæk/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of BACK
: in, toward, or at the back or rear
: to, toward, or in the place where someone or something was previously
: in or into the past : backward in time
also : ago
: to or toward a former state or condition
: in return or reply
used to describe someone or something that is being held or kept from moving forward or happening
used to describe something that is being kept instead of being given or revealed
: to or at an angle

back of

US, informal
: on the rear side of (something) : behind

get your own back

see get back at get
3 back /ˈbæk/ adjective
3 back
/ˈbæk/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of BACK
always used before a noun
: of or relating to the back : located at the back
: far from a central or main area
: not yet paid : owed from an earlier time
: published at an earlier time : no longer current
golf used to refer to the final 9 holes of an 18-hole golf course
4 back /ˈbæk/ verb
backs; backed; backing
4 back
/ˈbæk/
verb
backs; backed; backing
Britannica Dictionary definition of BACK
[+ object]
: to give help to (someone) : support
: to bet on (someone or something)
: to provide evidence that supports (something)
: to provide the money that is needed for (something)
: to sing or play music that supports (a main singer or musical instrument) often + up see also back up (below)
: to move backward
[no object]
[+ object]
sometimes used figuratively
[+ object] : to provide (something) with a back
[no object] : to have the back toward something

back away

[phrasal verb]
: to move away from something or someone by walking backward
often + from
often used figuratively

back down

[phrasal verb]
: to stop arguing or fighting for something
often + from

back into

[phrasal verb]
back into (something)
: to become involved in (something) without planning to become involved

back off

[phrasal verb]
: to stop arguing or fighting for something : to back down
: to decide not to do something that you had agreed to do : to back out
: to stop bothering someone

back out

[phrasal verb]
: to decide not to do something that you had agreed to do often + of

back up

[phrasal verb]
: to move backward
sometimes used figuratively
back (a vehicle) up or back up (a vehicle) : to move (a vehicle) backward
: to become blocked so that movement or flow is slowed or stopped
back (something) up or back up (something) : to cause (something) to become blocked
back (someone or something) up or back up (someone or something) : to give help or support to (someone or something)
see also 4back 1e (above)
back (something) up or back up (something) computers : to make a copy of (a computer file or data) to protect it from being lost see also backup