support

1 verb (T)

1 AGREE WITH SB/STH to say that you agree with an idea, group, person etc and want them to succeed: The bill was supported by a large majority in the Senate. | support sb in sth: the peasants who supported Castro in his bid for power | strongly support (=support something very much)

2 HOLD STH UP to hold the weight of something, keep it in place, or prevent it from falling: The middle part of the bridge is supported by two huge towers. | I grabbed the rail to support myself.

3 PROVIDE MONEY TO LIVE to provide enough money for someone to pay for all the things they need: She needs a high income to support such a large family. | It's difficult to support yourself on this salary.

4 GIVE MONEY TO STH to encourage a group, organization or event etc by giving it money: Please support your local theatre, buy some tickets today!

5 HELP SB to help someone by being sympathetic and kind to them during a difficult time in their life: My wife supported me enormously when my mother died.

6 LAND if land can support people or animals, it is of good enough quality to grow enough food for them to live: This land isn't fertile enough to support many cattle.

7 A BAD HABIT to get money in order to pay for a bad habit such as taking drugs: He stole from his mother's savings to support his drug habit.

8 PROVE STH to show or prove that something is true or correct: The results support our original theory.

9 SPORTS TEAM especially BrE to like a particular sports team and go to watch the games they play: Trev supports Arsenal, but I like Spurs.

10 BEAR STH (usually in negatives) formal to be able to bear something; endure: She could not support the heat any longer.

—see also: insupportable 2 noun

1 APPROVAL (U) approval and encouragement for an idea, plan etc: Local people have given us a lot of support in our campaign. | in support of: They signed a petition in support of the pay claim. | drum up support (=get many people's approval): The Americans used the story to drum up support for stronger measures against Libya.

2 SYMPATHY/HELP (U) sympathetic encouragement and help that you give to someone: Thanks for all your support at this difficult time.

—see also: moral support moral 1 (3)

3 HOLD STH UP (C, U) something such as a piece of wood that presses up on something else to hold it up or in position: The roof may need extra support. | the supports of a bridge

4 INJURED PART OF BODY (C) something that you wear to hold a weak or damaged part of your body in the right place

5 PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT STH (U) the people who support a political party, an idea, a team etc: There isn't much local support for the new candidate.