| backstay |
a rope that extends from the mast to the stern or side of a vessel to help support the mast. |
| back-step |
a step taken backwards. [2 definitions] |
| backstop |
in sports, a structure, such as a fence or wall, used to keep a ball from going out of the playing area. [2 definitions] |
| backstreet |
a minor road somewhat distant from major thoroughfares within a town or city. [2 definitions] |
| backstretch |
the straight portion of a racetrack following the first turn. (Cf. homestretch.) |
| backstroke |
a stroke made with the back of the hand outward, as in tennis. [3 definitions] |
| backswept |
inclined or swept toward the rear. |
| backswing |
in sports, the first part of the swing of a bat, club, racket, or the like, in which it is swung toward the player's back in preparation for the forward swing. |
| back talk |
insolent replies or retorts; impudence. |
| back-talk |
(informal) to answer in an insolent manner. |
| back-to-back |
following immediately after another; in consecutive order. [2 definitions] |
| backtrack |
to retrace one's previous route. [2 definitions] |
| backup |
an alternate, substitute, or copy kept in reserve. [4 definitions] |
| back up |
to create and store a copy of (a computer file), often in a separate location, in case the original is damaged or lost. [8 definitions] |
| backward |
in the direction of or to the rear or back. [8 definitions] |
| backward and forward |
in depth; completely; thoroughly. |
| backwards |
variant of "backward." |
| backwash |
in nautical terminology, water that an oar, propeller, or the like pushes toward the rear of a boat. [4 definitions] |
| backwater |
a pool of water that a dam, current, flood, or the like prevents from flowing. [2 definitions] |
| backwoods |
(often used with a sing. verb) an area that is mostly covered with trees and that has few inhabitants. [4 definitions] |
| backyard |
an open area behind a house that is part of the homeowner's property. |