verb | noun
supportsupport1 /səˈpɔrt/ ●●● S2 W1 verb [transitive] 1AGREE AND HELP to say that you agree with an idea, group, person, etc. and usually try to help make that idea, group, etc. succeed: The changes are supported by the Democratic party.support somebody in something We must support teachers in their efforts to keep schools drug-free. The U.S. strongly supports the trade agreement.► see thesaurus at help12PROVIDE MONEY TO LIVE to provide enough money for someone to pay for all the things he or she needs: He wasn’t earning enough to support his family.support yourself If she can’t support herself, how’s she going to support a child?support somebody by doing something She supports herself by giving piano lessons.3BE NICE TO somebody to help someone by being nice to him or her during a difficult time: My friends and family have all supported me through the divorce.4HOLD something UP to hold the weight of something, keep it in place, or prevent it from falling: The pillars support the ceiling.5GIVE MONEY TO something to give money to a group, organization, or event, etc. to encourage it or pay for its costs: Support the Girl Scouts – buy a box of cookies.6PROVE something to show or prove that something is true or correct: be supported by something Wang’s theory is supported by archeological evidence.7COMPUTERS to provide information and material to improve a computer program or system to make it continue working: I don’t think they support that version of the program anymore.8MAKE LIFE POSSIBLE if land, water, or air can support people, animals, or plants, it is of good enough quality, clean enough, has enough food, etc. to provide a place where they can live successfully: This land is dry and can’t support many cattle. The lake is too polluted to support fish.9MONEY/PRICES to do something to prevent prices, the value of a country’s money, etc. from decreasing10support a habit to get and use money to pay for a bad habit, such as taking drugs: Paul started dealing drugs to support his own cocaine habit.[Origin: 1300–1400 Old French supporter, from Latin supportare to carry]—supportable adjective → see also insupportable verb | noun
supportsupport2 ●●● S2 W1 noun 1
APPROVAL [uncountable] approval, encouragement, and often help for a person, idea, plan, etc.: support for There is strong support for the plan. The principal gives teachers the support they need to do their best work.support of The union has the support of most employees.in support of somebody/something A number of people spoke in support of the new rule.2SYMPATHY/HELP [uncountable] sympathetic encouragement and help that you give to someone: Thanks for all your support – it’s been a hard year.support of I couldn’t have made it through those times without the support of my boyfriend Rob. → see also moral support at moral1 (4)3HOLDING something UP [countable, uncountable] something that presses on something else to hold it up or in position, or the result of doing this: In the 1800s, bridges were built with wooden supports. This sofa has good back support.for support She leaned against the wall for support.4PROOF [uncountable] facts that show that an idea or statement is correct: support for My own research provides some support for this view.5MONEY [countable, uncountable] money that you give to help pay the costs of a person, group, organization, etc.: The GI bill provided financial support for soldiers who wanted a college education. With your support, we can help these youngsters. → see also child support, price support6SOLDIERS [uncountable] help or protection that is given by one group of soldiers to another group who are fighting in a battle: Some residents of the town had provided logistical support to the enemy troops.air/ground support (=help or protection that comes from people in aircraft or people on the ground)7FOR PART OF BODY [countable] something that you wear to hold a weak or damaged part of your body in the right place: back/neck/knee etc. support She untied her ankle supports.8COMPUTERS technical support9support staff/services/systems etc. people or equipment that help other people to achieve something: The law firm has 40 attorneys and a support staff of over 100.COLLOCATIONSverbshave support The proposal has the support of the mayor.give (your) support (also lend (your) support formal) The American people gave him their enthusiastic support.provide support (=give support)show (your) support He thanked the fans who had come out to show their support.pledge/offer (your) support (=say that you will support someone or something) Both political parties pledged support for the new environmental regulations.get/receive/draw support The plan drew wide support from parents.win/gain/attract support The candidate is trying to win the support of women voters.voice (your) support (=say that you support something or someone) A number of newspapers have voiced their support for the president’s proposals.enjoy/command support formal (=have support) His views were too extreme to command general support.mobilize support (=get people to support something in an active way) Part of their mission was to mobilize popular support for Franco.maintain support It was becoming increasingly difficult for the dictator to maintain public support.drum up/rally support (=get people’s support by making an effort) The mayor is trying to drum up support for the new subway line.enlist somebody’s support formal (=ask for and get their support) He wrote to the senator in an attempt to enlist his support.seek support (=ask for support) Campaign workers have been on the phones seeking support before Tuesday’s primary election.need support The president needs support from both Republicans and Democrats to pass the bill.build (up) support (=increase it) Now the candidate needs to build his support by explaining what he believes in.lose support Polls show that the president has lost the support of many Americans for his handling of the economy.withdraw support (=no longer support) He decided to withdraw his support for the project.support comes from somebody Support for the proposal has come from several leading experts.adjectivesstrong support A survey found strong support for the project among hospital workers.public/popular support There seemed to be no popular support for war.widespread/wide/general support There is widespread support for the changes.full/wholehearted/enthusiastic support I want you to know that you have my wholehearted support.overwhelming support (=a very large amount of support) The bill had overwhelming support from both Republicans and Democrats.active support (=approval and help) She managed, with the active support of her husband, to run a hundred miles in two days.ongoing support (=continuing support) Students will receive ongoing support through their school years.unanimous support (=when all members of a group support something) There was almost unanimous support for the proposal.unfailing support (=continuing for a long time, in spite of difficulties) She thanked her family for their unfailing support.