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# backup

noun (a backup, backups); adjective (backup plan); verb phrase back up (back up, backs up, backed up, backing up)

«backup» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. An extra copy of computer files kept safe in case the first copy is lost. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/#m1)
2. Extra help or support, such as more police or players who can join when needed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/#m2)
3. Something kept ready in case the first plan fails, like a backup plan. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/#m3)
4. (US) A traffic jam or a blockage, such as a sink backup. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/#m4)

### In the lessons

In computing lessons pupils learn to make a backup of their work. In everyday life and safety it means having a second plan or extra help. In stories police "call for backup". Phrases: "make a backup", "backup plan", "call for backup", "back up your files", "back someone up" (support them).

### Examples

- Always make a backup of your homework on a memory stick. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/#x1)
- My laptop broke, but I had a backup in the cloud. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/#x2)
- If it rains, our backup plan is the cinema. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/#x3)
- The officer called for backup. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/#x4)
- The backup goalkeeper came on in the second half. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/#x5)
- Please back up your files before the update. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/#x6)
- My friend backed me up when I told the truth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/#x7)
- There was a backup of cars on the motorway. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/#x8)

### Note

Written as one word "backup" for the noun and adjective, but as two words "back up" for the verb: "I back up my files" and "I have a backup". Countable: a backup, two backups.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «backup» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/backup/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«backup» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/backup.html) on Mova free.