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A2Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈækə/
US
- /ˈbækər/
Meanings
Noun
a person who supports a person, plan, or cause
a person or organization that provides money for a business, project, or campaign
Beyond the definition
A backer is someone who supports a person, project, or cause through financial, moral, or practical help. Think of the people who fund a Kickstarter campaign; they are backers hoping to see a creative idea come to life. You also hear the term in politics, where backers support candidates and campaigns, or in business, where they back startups, products, and creative work. A backer isn't just a casual supporter—they are a source of real momentum behind what they believe in.
The word "backer" comes from the verb to back, meaning to support. In older language, it could imply someone who stood with another person in a difficult situation. That literal sense is now uncommon, but the core idea remains: a backer is a reliable person or source of support.
A backer may provide money, resources, influence, or time to help a person, campaign, or venture move forward. In modern usage, this usually means financial backing, such as investors funding a startup, donors supporting a nonprofit, or patrons backing an arts project. Some backers contribute for expected returns, while others are motivated by shared values.
The term can also refer to active advocates. A political backer may campaign hard for a candidate, while a personal backer can boost confidence, reputation, and visibility. In other contexts, a backer might be a bettor who stakes money on a horse, match, or game.
Context is key: saying "She has strong backers in the industry" usually suggests influence, resources, and strategic support, while "He found a backer for his research proposal" suggests someone who believed in his work and helped secure the support needed for it to proceed.
Examples
- 1
Startup funding
The startup found a backer willing to invest in its first product.
- 2
Film production
She needed a backer to help get the film made.
- 3
Project funding
Several backers dropped out when the project went over budget.
- 4
Arts support
He has long been a backer of local arts programs.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Election campaign
The senator met with key backers before announcing her campaign.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- backernoun
Forms
- backerspluralnoun