- support
- sup|port1 W2S2 [səˈpo:t US -o:rt] v [T]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(agree and help)¦2¦(be kind to somebody)¦3¦(provide money to live)¦4¦(give money to something)¦5¦(hold something up)¦6¦(prove something)¦7¦(sports team)¦8¦(computers)¦9¦(land)¦10¦(water/air/earth)¦11 support a habit▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: supporter, from Latin supportare 'to carry', from sub- ( SUB-) + portare 'to carry']1.) ¦(AGREE AND HELP)¦to say that you agree with an idea, group, or person, and usually to help them because you want them to succeed▪ The bill was supported by a large majority in the Senate.support sb in (doing) sth▪ We need to support our teachers.▪ We strongly support the peace process.2.) ¦(BE KIND TO SOMEBODY)¦to help someone by being sympathetic and kind to them during a difficult time in their life▪ My wife supported me enormously.3.) ¦(PROVIDE MONEY TO LIVE)¦to provide enough money for someone to pay for all the things they need▪ I have a wife and two children to support .support sb by (doing) sth▪ She supports her family by teaching evening classes.support yourself▪ I have no idea how I am going to support myself.4.) ¦(GIVE MONEY TO SOMETHING)¦to give money to a group, organization, or event etc to encourage it or pay for its costs▪ There are a handful of charities which I support regularly.5.) ¦(HOLD SOMETHING UP)¦to hold the weight of something, keep it in place, or prevent it from falling▪ The middle part of the bridge is supported by two huge towers.▪ During sleep, our spine no longer needs to support the weight of our body.support yourself (on sth)▪ I got to my feet, supporting myself on the side of the table.6.) ¦(PROVE SOMETHING)¦if results, facts, studies etc support an idea or view, they show or prove that it is correct▪ The results support our original theory.▪ There is little evidence to support such explanations.7.) ¦(SPORTS TEAM)¦BrE to like a particular sports team and go to watch the games they play▪ Which team do you support ?▪ I've supported Liverpool all my life.8.) ¦(COMPUTERS)¦to provide information and material to improve a computer program or system, or to make it keep working▪ I don't think they support that version of the program anymore.9.) ¦(LAND)¦if land can support people or animals, it is of good enough quality to grow enough food for them to live▪ This land can't support many cattle.10.)¦(WATER/AIR/EARTH)¦if water, air, or earth can support life, it is clean enough, has enough oxygen etc to keep animals or plants alive▪ Because of pollution, this lake is now too acid to support fish.▪ healthy soil that can support plant life11.) support a habitto get money in order to pay for a bad habit, especially taking drugs▪ He turned to crime to support his habit.support 2support2 W2S2 n▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(approval)¦2¦(sympathy/help)¦3¦(money)¦4¦(hold something up)¦5¦(computers)¦6¦(concert/performance)¦7¦(soldiers)¦8¦(for part of body)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1.) ¦(APPROVAL)¦[U]approval, encouragement, and perhaps help for a person, idea, plan etc▪ Local people have given us a lot of support in our campaign.support for▪ There was widespread support for the war.in support▪ They signed a petition in support of the pay claim.support of▪ He had the full support of the general committee.▪ Thompson has won the support of half the party.▪ The organisers are hoping to drum up support (=get many people's approval) from local businesses.2.) ¦(SYMPATHY/HELP)¦[U]sympathy and help that you give to someone who is in a difficult situation or who is very unhappy▪ I couldn't have made it through those times without the support of my boyfriend, Rob.3.) ¦(MONEY)¦ [U and C]money that you give a person, group, organization etc to help pay for their costs▪ The European Union is considering whether to provide financial support for the expedition.with sb's support▪ With your support, we can help these youngsters.↑support4.) ¦(HOLD SOMETHING UP)¦ [U and C]something that presses on something else to hold it up or in position▪ The roof may need extra support.▪ the wooden supports of the bridgefor support▪ She grabbed at his shoulders for support.5.) ¦(COMPUTERS)¦[U]the help or information that you receive to improve a computer system, make it continue working, or use it correctly▪ our technical support team6.) ¦(CONCERT/PERFORMANCE)¦[U]a band, singer, or performer that performs for a short time at the same concert as a more famous and popular band etc▪ We played support to a band called Shallow.▪ the support band▪ the support act (=the support band)7.) ¦(SOLDIERS)¦[U]help or protection that is given by one group of soldiers to another group who are fighting in a battle▪ logistical supportair/ground support(=help or protection that comes from people in aircraft or people on the ground)8.) ¦(FOR PART OF BODY)¦something that you wear to hold a weak or damaged part of your body in the right placeback/neck/knee etc support
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.