support

verb

• 1bear all or part of the weight of; hold up:the dome was supported by a hundred white columns

• 2give assistance to, especially financially:the government gives £2,500 million a year to support the voluntary sector
• provide with a home and the necessities of life:my main concern was to support my family
• give approval, comfort, or encouragement to:the proposal was supported by many delegates
• be actively interested in and concerned for the success of (a particular sports team): fans should always support their team fully, no matter what
• (as adjective supporting) (of an actor or role) of secondary importance to the leading roles in a play or film: the production’s greatest successes are in the main supporting roles
• (of a pop or rock group or performer) function as a secondary act to (another) at a concert.

• 3suggest the truth of; corroborate:the studies support our findings

• 4produce enough food and water for; be capable of sustaining:the land had lost its capacity to support life

• 5endure; tolerate:at work during the day I could support the grief

• 6(of a computer or operating system) allow the use or operation of (a program, language, or device):the new versions do not support the graphical user interface standard

noun

• 1a thing that bears the weight of something or keeps it upright:the best support for a camera is a tripod
• [mass noun] the action of supporting something or someone or the state of being supported:she clutched the sideboard for support

• 2 [mass noun] material assistance:the bank provided unstinting financial support air operations in support of British forces
• approval, encouragement, or comfort:the paper printed many letters in support of the government she’s been through a bad time and needs our support
• technical help given to the user of a computer or other product.

• 3 [mass noun] evidence that serves to corroborate something:the study provides support for both theories

• 4a secondary act at a pop or rock concert: [as modifier]:a support band