English · Work & Business
back up
/bæk ʌp/
[/bæk ʌp/]
support; copy data
Intermediateverb
Definition
To support someone, or to make a copy of computer data for safety.
Example
Always back up your files to the cloud, or you'll lose everything if the laptop crashes.
Always back up your files to the cloud, or you'll lose everything if the laptop crashes.
Etymology
From 'back' plus 'up'; the computing sense emerged in the late 20th century.
How & Where It’s Used
Common in technology (data) and in everyday support ('I'll back you up').