1. backup(n = noun.process) - an accumulation caused by clogging or a stoppage; "a traffic backup on the main street"; "he discovered a backup in the toilet"
is a kind of accretion, accumulation
Derived form verb back up5
2. backup(n = noun.person) backup man, fill-in, relief, reliever, stand-in, substitute - someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult); "the star had a stand-in for dangerous scenes"; "we need extra employees for summer fill-ins"
is a kind of compeer, equal, match, peer
has particulars: locum, locum tenens, double, stunt man, stunt woman, alternate, replacement, surrogate
3. backup(n = noun.communication) accompaniment, musical accompaniment, support - a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts;
is a kind of part, voice
has particulars: descant, discant, vamp
4. backup(n = noun.artifact) computer backup - (computer science) a copy of a file or directory on a separate storage device; "he made a backup in case the original was accidentally damaged or erased"
is a kind of duplicate, duplication
Derived form verb back up4
5. backup(n = noun.act) backing, championship, patronage - the act of providing approval and support; "his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives"
is a kind of approval, approving, blessing
Derived form verb back up1
1. anything kept in reserve to serve as a substitute in case of failure or unavailability of the normal or primary object; -- used for devices, plans, people, etc. Also used attributively; as, there was no backup for the electrical supply; a backup motor; a backup generator. [PJC]
2. a musician or group of musicians accompanying a soloist, whether vocalists or instrumentalists. [PJC]
3. a person or group of persons serving as reinforcement for another or others; as, the policeman called for backup when he was fired on. [PJC]
4. an accumulation, overflow, or reverse flow (in traffic or a liquid flow system) caused by a stoppage or other malfunction. [PJC]
5. A copy of a program or data from a computer onto a data-storage medium, usually one that may be removed to safe storage at a distance from the computer; it is used to preserve data for use in the contingency that the original data on the computer may be lost or become unusable. A backup that is removed from the building housing the computer system (to provide protection against loss of data in a disastrous event such as a fire) is called
6. The act or process of creating a backup{5}; as, they performed a full system backup every weekend. [PJC]
backup, n.
1 moral or technical support (called for extra backup).
2 a reserve.
3 Computing (often attrib.) a the procedure for making security copies of data (backup facilities). b the copy itself (made a backup).
4 US a queue of vehicles etc., esp. in congested traffic.
Idiom:
backup light US a reversing light.