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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary sup·port \\sə-ˈpȯrt\\ transitive verb ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Anglo-French supporter, from Late Latin supportare, from Latin, to transport, from sub- + portare to carry — more at fare DATE 14th century 1. to endure bravely or quietly : bear 2. a. (1) to promote the interests or cause of (2) to uphold or defend as valid or right : advocate supports fair play (3) to argue or vote for supported the motion to lower taxes b. (1) assist , help bombers supported the ground troops (2) to act with (a star actor) (3) to bid in bridge so as to show support for c. to provide with substantiation : corroborate support an alibi3. a. to pay the costs of : maintain support a family b. to provide a basis for the existence or subsistence of the island could probably support three — A. B. C. Whipple support a habit4. a. to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for b. to maintain (a price) at a desired level by purchases or loans; also : to maintain the price of by purchases or loans5. to keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage : comfort 6. to keep (something) going• sup·port·abil·i·ty \\sə-ˌpȯr-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\\ noun• sup·port·able \\-ˈpȯr-tə-bəl\\ adjective• sup·port·ive \\-ˈpȯr-tiv\\ adjective• sup·port·ive·ness \\-nəs\\ nounSynonyms. support , uphold , advocate , back , champion mean to favor actively one that meets opposition. support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given supports waterfront development uphold implies extended support given to something attacked upheld the legitimacy of the military action advocate stresses urging or pleading advocated prison reform back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling refusing to back the call for sanctions champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause championed the rights of childrennoun DATE 14th century 1. a. the act or process of supporting : the condition of being supported b. assistance provided by a company to users of its products customer support2. one that supports — often used attributively a support staff3. sufficient strength in a suit bid by one's partner in bridge to justify raising the suit support
1382, from O.Fr. supporter, from L. supportare "convey, carry, bring up," from sub "up from under" + portare "to carry" (see port (1)). The noun meaning "act of assistance, backing" is recorded from 1390; sense of "that which supports" is from 1570. Meaning "services which enable something to fulfil its function and remain in operation" (e.g. tech support) is from 1953. Supportive (1593) is called "rare" in OED (1933). Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ supportsup·port / sE5pC:t; NAmE sE5pC:rt / verb[VN]ENCOURAGE / GIVE HELP 鼓励；支持 1. ~ sb / sth (in sth) to help or encourage sb / sth by saying or showing that you agree with them / it 支持；拥护；鼓励 SYN back : to support a proposal 支持一项提议 The government supported the unions in their demand for a minimum wage. 政府支持这些工会组织提出的确定最低限度工资的要求。 These measures are strongly supported by environmental groups. 这些措施得到环境保护组织的大力支持。 If you raise it at the meeting, I'll support you. 如果你在会上提出这个问题,我将支持你。2. to give or be ready to give help to sb if they need it 帮助；援助: an organization that supports people with AIDS 一个向艾滋病患者提供援助的组织 The company will support customers in Europe (= solve their problems with a product). 这家公司将向欧洲客户提供技术支持。PROVIDE MONEY, ETC. 提供资金等 3. to help or encourage sth to be successful by giving it money 资助；赞助 SYN sponsor : Several major companies are supporting the project. 几家大公司正在对这一项目提供资助。4. to provide everything necessary, especially money, so that sb / sth can live or exist 养活；赡养；供养；维持: Mark has two children to support from his first marriage. 马克得供养他第一次婚姻生的两个孩子。 He turned to crime to support his drug habit. 他为维持吸毒的恶习而走上犯罪的道路。 The atmosphere of Mars could not support life. 生命无法在火星的大气环境下生存。HOLD IN POSITION 支撑 5. to hold sb / sth in position; to prevent sb / sth from falling 支撑；支承；支护: a platform supported by concrete pillars 混凝土支柱支撑的平台 Support the baby's head when you hold it. 你抱婴儿时要把头扶好。HELP PROVE STH 证实 6. to help to show that sth is true 证实；提供依据 SYN corroborate : The witness's story was not supported by the evidence. 目击者的描述与证据不符。SPORTS TEAM 运动队 7. (BrE) to like a particular sports team, watch their games, etc. 支持；喜爱: Which team do you support? 你喜欢哪个队？POP CONCERT 流行音乐会 8. (of a pop band or singer 流行乐队或歌手) to perform in a pop concert before the main performer (在流行音乐会上)当助演,担任演出嘉宾: They were supported by a local Liverpool band. 利物浦当地的一支乐队为他们作助兴演出。COMPUTER 计算机 9. (of a computer or computer system 计算机或计算机系统) to allow a particular program, language or device to be used with it 支持；支援: This digital audio player supports multiple formats. 这台数字音频播放器支持多种格式。nounENCOURAGEMENT / MONEY 鼓励；资金 1. [U] ~ (for sth) encouragement and help that you give to sb / sth because you approve of them and want them to be successful 支持；拥护；鼓励；资助: There is strong public support for the change. 公众大力支持这一变革。 Can I rely on your support (= will you vote for me) in the election? 我能指望你投我的票吗？ Only a few people spoke in support of the proposal. 只有几个人表示支持这一提议。 Local businesses have provided financial support. 当地企业提供了财政资助。 She has no visible means of support (= no work, income etc.). 她没有明确的生计来源。HELP 帮助 2. [U] sympathy and help that you give to sb who is in a difficult or unhappy situation 帮助；救助；援助: Her family and friends have given her lots of support. 家人和朋友给了她许多帮助。⇨ see also moral support HOLDING IN POSITION 支撑 3. [C] a thing that holds sth and prevents it from falling 支撑物；支承；支柱；支座: The supports under the bridge were starting to bend. 桥下的支柱开始弯曲。 ( figurative) When my father died, Jim was a real support. 我父亲死后,吉姆成了真正的顶梁柱。4. [U] the act of holding sth firmly in position or preventing it from falling 支撑；支承；支护: I wrapped a bandage around my ankle to give it some support. 我在脚踝上缠上绷带,好把它固定住。 She held on to his arm for support. 她抓着他的胳膊,好站稳。5. [C] something you wear to hold an injured or weak part of your body firmly in position (身体部位的)支持器,托: a knee / back support 护膝/背PROOF 证据 6. [U] evidence that helps to show that sth is true or correct 证据；依据: The statistics offer further support for our theory. 这些统计数字为我们的理论提供了进一步的依据。POP CONCERT 流行音乐会 7. [U] a band or singer who performs in a pop concert before the main performer 助演嘉宾: The support (act) has yet to be confirmed. 助演尚未确定。TECHNICAL HELP 技术帮助 8. [U] technical help that a company gives to customers using their computers or other products (公司向客户提供的)技术支持: We offer free technical support. 我们免费提供技术支持。 Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishsupport
verb 1 help/encourage/agree with sb/sth ADV. fervently, overwhelmingly, strongly The people of this country overwhelmingly support their president. I strongly support the view that education should be available to everyone. | fully, wholeheartedly | unanimously | actively The group is actively supported by several Members of Parliament. | tacitly | enthusiastically | loyally He has supported the party loyally for over twenty years. | ably The soloists were ably supported by the University Singers. VERB + SUPPORT agree to, be pledged to, pledge to, promise to He promised to support me at the meeting. | be prepared to, be willing to | fail to, refuse to PREP. in Very few countries supported the United States in its action. PHRASES be widely supported These policies were widely supported in the country. 2 show that sth is true/correct ADV. strongly The evidence strongly supports his claims. VERB + SUPPORT appear to, seem to, tend to 3 give sb money ADV. financially | generously VERB + SUPPORT help (to) PREP. through Her parents supported her all through college.
Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishsupport
noun 1 help and encouragement ADJ. complete, full, total | active, considerable, enthusiastic, firm, generous, good, great, loyal, massive, overwhelming, solid, strong, tremendous, unqualified, wholehearted The socialist candidate enjoys the firm support of local industry. the company's generous financial support of the arts The poll revealed massive support for the proposal. The plan received strong support from farmers. | unflagging, unstinting, unswerving, unwavering We would like to thank Edna Hales for her unstinting support over the years. | growing, increased, increasing | continued, continuing | broad, community, general, majority, mass, popular, public, wide/widespread The government has lost majority support in the Assembly. | main | limited, lukewarm, qualified My idea only received lukewarm support from my colleagues. | adequate, sufficient | direct, indirect | long-term people who need long-term support at home | personal The proposal has the personal support of the president. | mutual The parents of the sufferers get together for mutual support. | international | Labour, Liberal, etc. | all-party, bipartisan, cross-party | administrative, economic, electoral, emotional, financial, moral, political, practical, technical, etc. She took her sister with her to the interview for moral support. | government, official, state | air, military, naval | price a price support mechanism VERB + SUPPORT enjoy, have The policy has the support of the community. | derive, draw, get, receive Which groups does the party draw most of its support from? | enlist, find, gain, mobilize, secure, win Campaigners have enlisted the support of their local MP. | attract, cultivate, drum up, muster, rally, recruit, seek, solicit, whip up | give sb/sth, lend (sb/sth), offer (sb/sth), provide (sb/sth with), throw organizations that provide support and advice to small businesses She threw her full support behind him. | lose | cut (off), withdraw | need, require She will need a lot of emotional support at this difficult time. | count on, rely on Can I count on your support? | announce, come out in, confirm, demonstrate, express, pledge, reaffirm, show one of the first scientists to come out in support of ‘The Origin of Species’ Many TV celebrities have already pledged their support to the appeal. | bolster, broaden, build (up), increase, strengthen The government is trying to build popular support for an unwinnable war. | weaken SUPPORT + VERB come Support came from all sections of the community. | grow, rise Support for the Liberals has risen to 30 per cent. | fall SUPPORT + NOUN base He had no support base within the party. | group a local support group for single parents | network | services PREP. in ~ of an intense campaign in support of the proposal | with/without … ~ The pipeline is to be built with international support. | ~ against Farmers mobilized considerable support against government plans to remove import restrictions. | ~ among The party wishes to broaden its support among professionals. | ~ between mutual support between local cooperatives | ~ for The president has expressed his support for the project. | ~ from The policy has broad support from industry. PHRASES a base of support Fears that instability would return under the Democrats gave the government a broad base of support. | a cut/decline in support, an expression of support The rebel leader claimed to have received expressions of support from all the neighbouring countries. | a lack of support, a source of support 2 money to buy food, clothes, etc. ADJ. child, family, social | income VERB + SUPPORT claim Families earning below a certain amount can claim child support. PHRASES a means of support 3 sth that carries the weight of sb/sth ADJ. firm | additional, extra | back, knee, etc. | roof VERB + SUPPORT give sth The piece of wood under the mattress is to give my back extra support. PHRASES hold onto sb/sth for support He held onto his wife for support as he left the hospital. support noun ⇨ evidence (support for a theory) ⇨ help (emotional/moral support) ⇨ post (the supports under the bridge)
support verb ⇨ support 1 (support a party) ⇨ confirm 1 (support a theory) ⇨ fund (support sth financially) ⇨ help 1 (The organization supports people with AIDS.) ⇨ provide for sb (support a family) Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged sup·portI. \səˈpō(ə)r]t, -pȯ(ə)r], -pōə], -pȯ(ə)], usu ]d.+V\ transitive verb( -ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English supporten, from Middle French supporter, from Late Latin supportare to bear, endure, from Latin, to carry, convey, from sub- + portare to carry — more at fare 1. : to endure especially in silence or with courage : bear , suffer , tolerate < wondered how he could support the sun, even with his helmet — Paul Bowles >2. a. (1) : to uphold by aid, countenance, or adherence : actively promote the interests or cause of < the art work of the federal agencies has been supported enthusiastically — American Guide Series: Minnesota > < an established judicial system supported by the executive power of the state — John MacNeill > (2) : to uphold or defend as valid, right, just, or authoritative : advocate < would support the principle of arbitration — C.L.Jones > < the treaties … represent public opinion … and will be supported by the people — Vera M. Dean > (3) : to argue in favor of : vote for < he refused to support the … party's choice — Gay Talese > < supported increasing the base pay of servicemen — Current Biography > also : to advocate, endorse, vote for, or implement the policies, principles, or candidacy of < he supported the administration … in practically all its major measures — T.P.Abernethy > < the state delegation … supported him on the first ballot — G.S.Dumke > b. (1) : to provide means, force, or strength that is secondary to : back up < scattered eight hits, walked three and fanned two as his mates supported him brilliantly in the field — Deane McGowen > < body of … missionaries and businessmen, supported rather than led by a handful of politicians — D.W.Brogan > (2) : to give assistance to (a primary battle force) by providing supplies, serving as a reserve, or furnishing additional or covering combat strength < a base-building and base-stocking operation to support the great air and cross-channel attacks — G.A.Lincoln > < ahead of his main line, where they could not be supported by the rest of the troops — Tom Wintringham > < mortars and machine guns supported the attack > (3) : to attend upon (a person) especially as an assistant on a ceremonious occasion < the mayor … will attend the old Parish Church, supported by the Council and civic bodies, in state — Austin Edwards > (4) : to act with (a star actor) (5) : to provide a musical background for : accompany < the orchestral sound was always strong enough to support the voices — Irving Kolodin > (6) : to bid in bridge so as to show support for (one's partner or his suit) c. (1) : to serve as verification, corroboration, or substantiation of < historic evidence supports such guesses — Brewton Berry > also : to provide with verification, corroboration, or substantiation < his alibi that he had been home all afternoon … was supported by neighbors — Woody Klein > (2) : to provide amplification or clarification of < tests, keys, teachers' manuals, and the like, to support and supplement their textbooks — Textbooks in Education >3. a. : to pay the costs of : maintain < the association is supported financially by membership dues — Helen T. Geer > < few graduate students support their studies from personal funds — M.H.Trytten > also : to supply with the means of maintenance (as lodging, food or clothing) or to earn or furnish funds for maintaining < supports his own and his brother's family > b. : to provide a basis for the existence or subsistence of : serve as the source of material or immaterial supply, nourishment, provender, fuel, raw material, or sustenance of < the island could probably support three, though no more — A.B.C.Whipple > < the flax crop supports an important linen industry — Samuel Van Valkenburg & Ellsworth Huntington > < to support study and research … these are … the outstanding collection of microfilm reproductions — University of Michigan Bulletin > c. : to have or put into circulation enough money (as from trade, wages, manufacture, or taxes) to maintain < the town supports a grammar school, a large high school, a movie, and two hotels — American Guide Series: Nevada > < one of the large machine shops … that support the town industrially — American Guide Series: Vermont >4. a. : to hold up or in position : serve as a foundation or prop for : bear the weight or stress of : keep from sinking or falling < octagonal piers support Gothic arches along the nave — American Guide Series: Minnesota > b. : to serve as a heraldic supporter of < the shield of this monarch is supported on each side by an angel habited — F.J.Grant > c. : to give one's arm to d. obsolete : to be the subject or ground of (an attribute) e. : to assume and give the appearance of having (as a character) < supported a general behavior in the world which could not hurt their credit or their purse — Richard Steele > f. : to maintain (a price) at a high level by purchases or loans < a wool bill supporting the domestic price for wool at 42 cents — F.A.Barrett > also : to maintain the price of (as an agricultural commodity) by purchases or loans < mandatory for the secretary to support six basic crops — cotton, corn, rice, peanuts, wheat and tobacco — at 90 percent of parity — Jean Begeman >5. : to keep from fainting, sinking, yielding, or losing courage : comfort , strengthen < beneath the sadness her indomitable pride supported her — Ellen Glasgow >6. : to maintain in condition, action, or existence < the fuel had not been of that substantial sort which can support a blaze long — Thomas Hardy > < support respiration > < support the fiction that the man had left in the night — American Guide Series: Tennessee >Synonyms: sustain , prop , bolster , buttress , brace : support is applicable to a variety of uses with the general meaning or suggestion of carrying or leaning from or as if from below, of maintaining or holding up the weight or pressure of, and of forestalling sinking or falling back < beams support the roof > < he supports the greater muscular tension involved with less evident fatigue — W.C.Brownell > < support the Constitution > sustain may center attention on the fact of constantly holding up or of maintaining undiminished < sustain the weight of office > < for nine years, Napoleon has been sustained by the people of France with a unanimity such as the United States never knew — C.B.Fairbanks > < this intellectual interest is great enough to sustain the reader through the analytical labyrinths we must search together — Hunter Mead > prop may imply a weakness, a tendency to fall, sink, or recede, a need for strengthening or reinforcing on the part of the thing being treated < propping up the table with a packing case > < trying to prop up the decaying structures of last-century imperialism — G.L.Kirk > < the plot, a slim tale of vengeance, is psychologically shallow and propped up by unpardonable coincidences — Anthony Boucher > bolster blends the suggestions of sustain and prop ; it may suggest a supporting comparable to that afforded an invalid by pillows < bolster up the falling fortunes of the East India Company — V.L.Parrington > < bolster the diminishing lumber trade within the next 75 years — American Guide Series: New Jersey > < assign some extra instruments to bolster the choir's volume of sound — P.H.Lang > buttress may suggest strengthening, reinforcing, or stabilizing, sometimes massive, at a stress point, in the manner of an architectural buttress < combat business slumps and to buttress the economy so that danger of another depression will be reduced to a minimum — Newsweek > < a code of laws buttressed by divine sanctions which should be unshakable — Benjamin Farrington > < the popular success formula is buttressed by evidence from the careers of an impressive minority — R.B.Morris > brace may suggest supporting or strengthening so that the thing treated is made firm, unyielding, or rigid against pressure < brace the shelf with an angle iron > < then he braced himself against a giant oak on his front lawn and experienced a savage kind of exaltation as the elements raged around him — Bennett Cerf > < the shoring up of a tottering political system, which is precisely the problem that we face in trying to brace the western democracies — G.W.Johnson >II. noun( -s) Usage: often attributiveEtymology: Middle English, from supporten to support 1. : the act, process, or operation of supporting or the condition of being supported < the support by society of increasingly skilled specialists — Jacquetta & Christopher Hawkes > < carried a large club, partly for the support of his weak legs — Sherwood Anderson > < appeared … to testify in support of universal military training — Current Biography >as a. : the assistance given one military unit by another < methods of support by machine-gun fire — Combat Forces Journal > < the transfer of battalions between regiments … is done as seldom as possible in order to avoid complicating administrative support — M.L.Powell > — see close support b. : acting by a company or actor that supports a star 2. : one that supports : a supporting means, agency, medium, proof, or reserve : prop < building a steel frame as a structural support for the fabric of stone or brick — American Guide Series: Minnesota > < the first to use canvas as a support for painting in oil — C.W.H.Johnson > < one under our special supervision and the other with our cordial support — W.F.Brown b.1903 >as a. : a means of livelihood, sustenance, or existence < each son was expected to contribute to his own support — Carol L. Thompson > < the only financial support which a magazine could expect was from its readers — D.M.Potter > also : a person or agency that furnishes support < he is his family's sole support > — compare price support b. (1) : one of the two primary subdivisions of an advance or rear guard: (2) : a military element in an outpost (3) : a body of troops designated to support or reinforce a unit in action (4) : a part of a unit held in reserve c. : a company, actor, or actress playing with a star d. : a supporting layer of cellulosic material, glass, or plastic on which a photographic light-sensitive layer is coated e. : sufficient strength (as four cards of the suit or three cards including the queen or jack-ten) in a bridge suit bid by one's partner to justify raising it f. (1) : supporter d (2) : suspensory g. : a musical accompaniment or background h. : corroborating or substantiating evidence, testimony, or documents < the suggested hypothesis led necessarily to searching for support in the psychological sciences — S.J.Beck >3. : rest 2a(3) Synonyms: see living III. transitive verb: to allow the use of by design < a word processor that supports a variety of printers >IV. noun: support level herein
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