# backup

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbækˌʌp/ · frequency rank #5,006

## Definitions
1. A reserve or substitute.
2. A copy of a file or record, stored separately from the original, that can be used to recover the original if it is damaged or destroyed.
3. An accumulation of material caused by a (partial) obstruction or (complete) blockage of the flow or movement of the material, or an accumulation of material that causes an overflow due to the flow being greater than the maximum possible flow.
4. Reinforcements.
5. Any support or extra help.
6. Accompaniment.
7. Corroboration.

## Etymology
Deverbal from back up.

## Easily confused with
- **Baku** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/backup-vs-baku)
- **back** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-backup)
- **backs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/backs-vs-backup)
- **backed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/backed-vs-backup)
- **backer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/backer-vs-backup)

## Common misspellings (9)
`abckup`, `bacckup`, `backkup`, `backpu`, `backupp`, `bacukp`, `bakcup`, `bbackup`, `bcakup`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/backup