- documentary validation
"his documentation of the results was excellent"
"the strongest support for this this view is the work of Jones"

- a military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission
"they called for artillery support"

- the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening
"he leaned against the wall for support"

- aiding the cause or policy or interests of
"the president no longer had the support of his own party"
"they developed a scheme of mutual support"

- the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
"his support kept the family together"
"they gave him emotional support during difficult times"

- any device that bears the weight of another thing
"there was no place to attach supports for a shelf"

- supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation
"the statue stood on a marble support"

- something providing immaterial support or assistance to a person or cause or interest
"the policy found little public support"
"his faith was all the support he needed"
"the team enjoyed the support of their fans"

- a subordinate musical part

- provides background for more important parts

- the financial means whereby one lives
"each child was expected to pay for their keep"
"he applied to the state for support"
"he could no longer earn his own livelihood"

- financial resources provided to make some project possible
"the foundation provided support for the experiment"

- establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
"his story confirmed my doubts"
"The evidence supports the defendant"

- put up with something or somebody unpleasant
"I cannot bear his constant criticism"
"The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks"
"he learned to tolerate the heat"
"She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage"

- adopt as a belief
"I subscribe to your view on abortion"

- argue or speak in defense of
"She supported the motion to strike"

- be a regular customer or client of
"We patronize this store"
"Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could"

- be the physical support of

- carry the weight of
"The beam holds up the roof"
"He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam"
"What''s holding that mirror?"

- play a subordinate role to (another performer)
"Olivier supported Gielgud beautifully in the second act"

- support materially or financially
"he does not support his natural children"
"The scholarship supported me when I was in college"

- be behind

- approve of
"He plumped for the Labor Party"
"I backed Kennedy in 1960"

- give moral or psychological support, aid, or courage to
"She supported him during the illness"
"Her children always backed her up"

- support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm
"The stories and claims were born out by the evidence"

1. To bear by being under; to keep from falling; to uphold; to sustain, in a literal or physical sense; to prop up; to bear the weight of; as, a pillar supports a structure; an abutment supports an arch; the trunk of a tree supports the branches.

2. To endure without being overcome, exhausted, or changed in character; to sustain; as, to support pain, distress, or misfortunes.

"This fierce demeanor and his insolence The patience of a god could not support." -- Dryden.

3. To keep from failing or sinking; to solace under affictive circumstances; to assist; to encourage; to defend; as, to support the courage or spirits.

4. To assume and carry successfully, as the part of an actor; to represent or act; to sustain; as, to support the character of King Lear.

5. To furnish with the means of sustenance or livelihood; to maintain; to provide for; as, to support a family; to support the ministers of the gospel.

6. To carry on; to enable to continue; to maintain; as, to support a war or a contest; to support an argument or a debate.

7. To verify; to make good; to substantiate; to establish; to sustain; as, the testimony is not sufficient to support the charges; the evidence will not support the statements or allegations.

"To urge such arguments, as though they were sufficient to support and demonstrate a whole scheme of moral philosophy." -- J. Edwards.

8. To vindicate; to maintain; to defend successfully; as, to be able to support one's own cause.

9. To uphold by aid or countenance; to aid; to help; to back up; as, to support a friend or a party; to support the present administration.

"Wherefore, bold pleasant, Darest thou support a published traitor?" -- Shak.

10. A attend as an honorary assistant; as, a chairman supported by a vice chairman; O'Connell left the prison, supported by his two sons.

Support arms
(Mil.), a command in the manual of arms in responce to which the piece is held vertically at the shoulder, with the hammer resting on the left forearm, which is passed horizontally across the body in front; also, the position assumed in response to this command.

Syn. -- To maintain; endure; verify; substantiate; countenance; patronize; help; back; second; succor; relieve; uphold; encourage; favor; nurture; nourish; cherish; shield; defend; protect; stay; assist; forward.

1. The act, state, or operation of supporting, upholding, or sustaining.

2. That which upholds, sustains, or keeps from falling, as a prop, a pillar, or a foundation of any kind.

3. That which maintains or preserves from being overcome, falling, yielding, sinking, giving way, or the like; subsistence; maintenance; assistance; reënforcement; as, he gave his family a good support, the support of national credit; the assaulting column had the support of a battery.

Points of support
(Arch.), the horizontal area of the solids of a building, walls, piers, and the like, as compared with the open or vacant spaces.

Right of support
(Law), an easement or servitude by which the owner of a house has a right to rest his timber on the walls of his neighbor's house. Kent.

Syn. -- Stay; prop; maintenance; subsistence; assistance; favor; countenance; encouragement; patronage; aid; help; succor; nutriment; sustenance; food.