support */*/*/

I UK [səˈpɔː(r)t] / US [səˈpɔrt] verb [transitive]
Word forms "support":
present tense I/you/we/they support he/she/it supports present participle supporting past tense supported past participle supported

1)

a) to approve of an idea or of a person or organization and help them to be successful

The United Nations has supported efforts to return the refugees peacefully.

The proposed reduction in taxes is supported by 73% of the people.

support doing something:

The majority of Europeans support sending troops into the region.

support someone in (doing) something:

Everyone came together to support him in his campaign for justice.

b) to help someone and be kind to them when they are having a difficult time

My friends have supported me through the entire trial.

2) to hold the weight of someone or of something such as a building or structure so that they do not move or fall

A pair of wooden beams was the only thing supporting the roof.

support something with something:

The plants were supported with wire.

be supported by something:

She was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows.

support yourself (= hold or lean on something so that you do not fall):

Use the handle to support yourself.

3) to provide money, food, shelter, or other things that someone needs in order to live

How can we support our families on such low wages?

support yourself:

She's been supporting herself since she was 18 years old.

a) to give money to a politician, organization etc in order to help them to achieve a particular aim

His campaign was supported mainly by wealthy businessmen.

Thanks to all of you who supported our appeal.

b) to get enough money to pay for an activity, habit, or interest, especially a bad one such as taking drugs

Drug users often become thieves in order to support their addiction.

c) if land supports people or animals, enough food grows on it to feed them

4) to show that an idea, statement, theory etc is true or correct

Several witnesses supported Mrs Carson's claim of harassment.

Our conclusions are supported by extensive research.

You will need to provide supporting evidence for your claim.

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Collocations:
Nouns frequently used as objects of support
▪  argument, claim, conclusion, contention, hypothesis, idea, theory, view

5) to like a particular sports team and to encourage them to win, especially by going to see their matches

I support West Ham – who do you support?

See:

supporter

6) to perform in a show or concert in addition to the main performer

7) computing to provide information and material to keep a computer system or program working

Does the company still support that version of the program?

You can download the program free, but it's not supported.

II UK [səˈpɔː(r)t] / US [səˈpɔrt] noun
Word forms "support":
singular support plural supports

1) [uncountable] help and approval that you give to a particular idea, politician, organization etc

The bill won strong support in London.

in support of:

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this plan.

enlist/mobilize support (= get a lot of people to support you):

Farmers' leaders were mobilizing support to oppose government plans.

a) help and kindness that you give to someone who is having a difficult time

I am grateful for the constant support of my husband.

She always gave him her love and support.

b) the people who support an organization, an idea, a team, or a person such as a politician

His support is drawn mainly from the rural areas.

c) money that is provided to a person or organization in order to help them to do their work or to achieve a particular aim

The charity depends on your support.

financial support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds

d) help or protection that is given by one group of soldiers to another group who are fighting in a battle

air/ground support (= help that comes from people in aircraft or people on the ground)

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Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with support
▪  active, complete, enthusiastic, full, strong, unanimous, wholehearted, widespread Verbs frequently used with support as the object ▪  attract, command, enlist, gain, get, lend, mobilize, pledge, rally, receive, win

2)

a) [countable/uncountable] something that holds the weight of an object, building, or structure so that it does not move or fall

Workers will be reinforcing supports under the bridge.

b) [countable] something that you wear to support or protect a part of your body, for example when you are injured or when you are playing a sport

3) [uncountable] proof that something is true or correct

Do you have any support for your theory?

Thomas could offer no support for his allegations.

4) [uncountable] someone who performs in a show or concert but is not the main performer

5) [uncountable] technical support