backbone

Everyday

1. The backbone is the line of bones down the middle of your back, also called the spine. tree →
2. The backbone of something is its most important part, which holds the rest up. tree →
3. Having backbone means being brave and strong enough to do the right thing. tree →

In the lessons

In science, animals with a backbone are vertebrates (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals); animals without one are invertebrates (insects, worms, jellyfish). In health: good posture protects your backbone. Phrases: the backbone of the team, have the backbone to, show some backbone.

Examples

• Your backbone is made of small bones called vertebrae. tree →
• A fish has a backbone, but a worm does not. tree →
• Sit up straight to look after your backbone. tree →
• Farmers are the backbone of the country. tree →
• It takes backbone to stand up to a bully. tree →
• The goalkeeper is the backbone of our team. tree →
• Insects are animals without a backbone. tree →
• Feel the bumps of your backbone down your back. tree →

Note

Countable. Same as spine. Science trap: a jellyfish and a spider have no backbone; a snake has a very long one. «Spineless» means without a backbone, or, about people, not brave.