[+ obj] 1 a : to agree with or approve of (someone or something)
▪ I completely support your decision to stay. ▪ She no longer supports the war. ▪ The senator says that he supports the proposed legislation. ▪ Which presidential candidate do you support? ▪ The study is supported by the American Medical Association.
b : to show that you approve of (someone or something) by doing something
▪ The country's citizens were asked to support the war effort. ▪ Her friends supported her by signing her petition. 2 a : to give help or assistance to (someone or something)
▪ The charity supports needy families. ▪ Bombers were called in to support the ground troops.
b : to provide what is needed by (someone or something)
▪ The planet's atmosphere cannot support human life. ▪ This computer does not support that software. [=you cannot use that software on this computer]
c : to provide the money that is needed by or for (someone or something)
▪ He works two jobs to support his family. ▪ She has two children to support. ▪ We support the charity by making annual donations. ▪ The foundation supports cancer research. ▪ The theater is supported by donations. ▪ She sold illegal drugs to support her own drug habit. 3 : to hold (something or someone) up : to stop (something or someone) from falling down
▪ Thick cables help support the bridge. ▪ The roof is supported by thick wooden pillars throughout the house. ▪ She supported herself on my arm as we walked together. ▪ He supports himself with a cane. 4 : to provide evidence for (something) : to help show that (something) is true
▪ His alibi is supported by his neighbors. ▪ The results of the study support her theory. ▪ Their claims are not supported by the evidence. 5 chiefly Brit : to be a fan of (a sports team)
▪ She supports both teams.