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Definition of support noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

support

noun
 
/səˈpɔːt/
 
/səˈpɔːrt/
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    approval

  1. [uncountable] approval that you give to somebody/something because you want them to be successful
    • support for something There is strong public support for the policy.
    • There is a continued lack of support for the war.
    • His ideas are gaining popular support (= the support of many people).
    • to provide/offer support
    • I intend to lend my full support to the campaign.
    • to win/gain somebody's support
    • Can I rely on your support (= will you vote for me) in the election?
    • support from somebody/something The policy has broad support from industry.
    • in support of something Only a few people spoke in support of the proposal.
    • organizations that provide advice and support to small businesses
    see also air support
    Extra Examples
    • The idea has met with widespread support.
    • The project won the support of the local community.
    • Campaigners have enlisted the support of their local MP.
    • Farmers mobilized considerable support against government plans to remove import restrictions.
    • Fears that instability would return gave the government a broad base of support.
    • He had no support base within the party.
    • My idea only received lukewarm support from my colleagues.
    • She threw her full support behind him.
    • Support came from all sections of the community.
    • Support for the Liberals has risen to 30 per cent.
    • The candidate enjoys the firm support of local industry.
    • The government is trying to build popular support for an unwinnable war.
    • The party wishes to broaden its support among professionals.
    • The plan received strong support from farmers.
    • The poll revealed massive support for the proposal.
    • The proposal has the personal support of the president.
    • The rebel leader received expressions of support from all quarters.
    • They are now throwing their support to the other candidate.
    • Which groups does the party draw most of its support from?
    • one of the first scientists to come out in support of ‘The Origin of Species’
    • I wish to acknowledge the support of my family during the writing of this book.
    • We would like to thank Ana for her unwavering support over the years.
    Topics Successa2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • child
    • family
    • social
    verb + support
    • claim
    • pay
    phrases
    • a means of support
    See full entry
  2. money

  3. [uncountable] support (from somebody/something) money or goods that you give to somebody/something in order to help them
    • They received no financial support from the government.
    • She has no visible means of support (= no work, income etc.).
    see also child support, income support
    Extra Examples
    • Local businesses provided financial support.
    • Many TV celebrities have already pledged their support to the appeal.
    • The pipeline is to be built with international support.
  4. help

  5. [uncountable] sympathy and help that you give to somebody who is in a difficult or unhappy situation
    • Her family and friends have given her lots of support.
    • Thank you for all your messages of support at this difficult time.
    • He turned to his closest friends for support.
    • support staff/services
    • a support network/system
    see also life support, life support machine, moral support, victim support
    Extra Examples
    • Thanks for all your support on the day of the funeral.
    • She will need a lot of emotional support at this difficult time.
    • We get together regularly for mutual support.
    • We'll need to give her lots of support when she comes out of hospital.
    • people who need long-term support at home
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • complete
    • full
    • total
    verb + support
    • enjoy
    • have
    • derive
    support + verb
    • come from something
    • grow
    • rise
    support + noun
    • base
    • network
    • group
    preposition
    • in support of
    • with… support
    • without… support
    phrases
    • a base of support
    • a cut in support
    • a decline in support
    See full entry
  6. proof

  7. [uncountable] evidence that helps to show that something is true or correct
    • This suggestion lacks convincing experimental support.
    • support for something The statistics offer further support for our theory.
    • in support of something There is little evidence in support of this hypothesis.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • complete
    • full
    • total
    verb + support
    • enjoy
    • have
    • derive
    support + verb
    • come from something
    • grow
    • rise
    support + noun
    • base
    • network
    • group
    preposition
    • in support of
    • with… support
    • without… support
    phrases
    • a base of support
    • a cut in support
    • a decline in support
    See full entry
  8. holding in position

  9. [countable] a thing that holds something and prevents it from falling
    • The supports under the bridge were starting to bend.
    • (figurative) When my father died, Jim was a real support.
    Extra Examples
    • There was some structural damage to the support.
    • Engineers discovered cracks in two of the supports.
    • (figurative) After the accident my parents were a great support.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • firm
    • added
    • additional
    verb + support
    • give something
    support + noun
    • beam
    • structure
    phrases
    • hold onto somebody/​something for support
    See full entry
  10. [uncountable] the act of holding something in position or preventing it from falling
    • for support She held on to his arm for support.
    • without support After the operation he couldn't walk without support.
    • A firmer mattress gives your back an improved level of support.
    Extra Examples
    • I wrapped a bandage around my ankle to give it some support.
    • He held onto his wife for support as he left the hospital.
    • (figurative) a price support mechanism
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • firm
    • added
    • additional
    verb + support
    • give something
    support + noun
    • beam
    • structure
    phrases
    • hold onto somebody/​something for support
    See full entry
  11. [countable] something you wear to hold an injured or weak part of your body in position
    • a knee/back support
    Topics Healthcareb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • firm
    • added
    • additional
    verb + support
    • give something
    support + noun
    • beam
    • structure
    phrases
    • hold onto somebody/​something for support
    See full entry
  12. pop/rock concert

  13. [uncountable] a band or singer who performs in a pop or rock concert before the main performer
    • The support (act) has yet to be confirmed.
    Topics Musicc1
  14. technical help

  15. [uncountable] technical help that a company gives to customers using their computers or other products
    • There is a lack of decent home user support.
    see also tech support, technical support
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • complete
    • full
    • total
    verb + support
    • enjoy
    • have
    • derive
    support + verb
    • come from something
    • grow
    • rise
    support + noun
    • base
    • network
    • group
    preposition
    • in support of
    • with… support
    • without… support
    phrases
    • a base of support
    • a cut in support
    • a decline in support
    See full entry
  16. Word OriginMiddle English (originally in the sense ‘tolerate’): from Old French supporter, from Latin supportare, from sub- ‘from below’ + portare ‘carry’.
See support in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee support in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
given
adjective
 
 
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