backbone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The industry continued to form the backbone of the country's economy, benefiting from the high oil prices of the 1970s.

From BBC

It gives the smoothie a jammy backbone, while frozen banana provides the “ice” element.

From Salon

Companies working with the sanctioned firms risk secondary sanctions that would deny them access to US banks, traders, transporters, and insurers -- the backbone of the commodities market.

From Barron's

Lowell “Sly” Dunbar, the Jamaican drummer whose work in the rhythm section of Sly and Robbie built the backbone of modern reggae, has died.

From Los Angeles Times

For 30 years, he has been growing cocoa and is typical of the smallholders who have been the backbone in making the west African country the world's leading producer of the crop.

From Barron's