26984 words

supports

37 definitions • 66 examples
1
to agree with and give encouragement to someone or something because you want him, her, or it to succeed:

Examples:

My father supported the Labour Party all his life.
The majority of people in the town strongly support the plans to build a new school.
[ + obj + to infinitive ] We will always do our best to support our students to succeed.
2
If you support a sports team or a sports player, you want them to win, and might show it by going to watch them play:

Examples:

Which team do you support?
3
to help someone emotionally or in a practical way:

Examples:

Alcoholics Anonymous is a group which supports people who are trying to stop drinking too much alcohol.
My family has always supported me in whatever I've wanted to do.
4
to give a person the money they need in order to buy food and clothes and pay for somewhere to live:

Examples:

He has a wife and four children to support.
5
If you support an activity or a habit, you provide the money needed to pay for it:

Examples:

I don't know how they manage to support their expensive lifestyle.
Some drug addicts turn to crime in order to support their habit.
6
to provide the right conditions, such as enough food and water, for life:

Examples:

The land is so poor here that it cannot support any crops.
7
to hold something firmly or carry its weight, especially from below to stop it from falling:

Examples:

When babies first learn to stand, they hold on to something to support themselves (= to stop themselves from falling).
My ankle is weak, so I always put a bandage on it to support it when I play tennis.
figurative The Bank of England has taken measures to support the pound (= to stop it from being reduced in value).
8
to help to show something to be true:

Examples:

You can't make a statement like that without any supporting documentation.
9
to accept something and allow it to happen:

Examples:

The headteacher told the boys that he would not support that kind of behaviour.
10
agreement with and encouragement for an idea, group, or person:

Examples:

We've succeeded in drumming up a lot of local support for our attempt to stop the superstore being built.
I signed a petition in support of the campaign to end the marketing of baby formula in developing countries.
11
emotional or practical help:

Examples:

Liz gave me a lot of support when I lost my job.
You've been a great support to my mum in this difficult time.
12
the money someone needs in order to buy food and clothes and pay for somewhere to live:

Examples:

He is dependent on his father for support .
13
something that holds something firmly or carries its weight, especially from below to stop it from falling:

Examples:

The floor is held up by wooden supports.
I've hurt my wrist, so I've bandaged it to give it some support.
14
a device worn to hold part of the body, especially a weak part, firmly in position:

Examples:

Jim always wears a knee support when he goes running.
15
something that shows that a fact is true:

Examples:

This new evidence lends support to the theory that she was murdered.
We had to send a doctor's report in support of our claim to the insurance company.
16
a performer or band (= group of musicians) that performs before the main one in a concert or other performance:

Examples:

The band toured Australia in December 2001 as the support for Judas Priest.
The concert will start at 8pm prompt and there is no support.
17
to give encouragement and approval to someone or something because you want the person or thing to succeed:

Examples:

18
to help someone or something in an emotional or practical way:

Examples:

My family always supported me in whatever I wanted to do.
19
to provide someone with money or physical things that are needed:

Examples:

She has to work at two jobs to support her family.
20
to show or seem to prove something to be true:

Examples:

New research supports the theory.
21
to hold something firmly or bear its weight, esp. from below, to stop it from falling:

Examples:

The pole is supported by wires.
22
emotional or practical help:

Examples:

I got a lot of support from my friends and colleagues.
23
money or physical things that are provided to someone who needs them:

Examples:

24
information or facts that prove something to be true; proof:

Examples:

He produced charts and graphs in support of his argument.
25
approval and encouragement given to someone or something:

Examples:

The senator voiced his support for making health care available to all.
26
something that holds something firmly or bears its weight, to stop it from falling:

Examples:

[ C ] The floor is held up by wooden supports.
[ U ] You may have to use crutches for support while your ankle heals.
27
to show that you agree with someone or something and want to encourage them:

Examples:

If your boss raises any objections, I'm willing to support you.
I don't support the idea of outsourcing the work.
28
to help someone, or offer help with something, when this is needed:

Examples:

We'll do all we can to support our customers during this difficult period.
29
to give a person the money they need in order to buy food and clothes and pay for somewhere to live:

Examples:

My starting salary wasn't enough to support a family.
30
if you support an activity, you provide money for it:

Examples:

I don't know how they manage to support their expensive lifestyle.
We are calling on the Government to support the arts.
31
to hold something firmly or carry its weight, especially from below to stop it from falling:

Examples:

The frame needs to be strong enough to support the engine assembly.
32
to stop something from falling in value, or becoming less strong:

Examples:

The Bank of England has taken measures to support the pound.
33
to help to show that something is true:

Examples:

You can't make a statement like that without any supporting documentation.
34
agreement with and encouragement for an idea, group, or person:

Examples:

support for sb/sth There was little support for the proposal among the Board members present.
in support of sth The postal workers have come out on strike in support of their pay claim.
35
emotional or practical help:

Examples:

We are going to need a lot of support if we want to get this job done on time.
support for sb/sth Is there any hope of getting financial support for the project?
36
the act of stopping something falling in value or becoming less strong:

Examples:

support for sth The Bank has promised support for the ailing currency.
37
something that helps to show that something is true:

Examples:

support for sth These new facts gave me some support for my interpretation.
in support of sth Do you have any data in support of your theory?

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