backbone

the long bones in the middle of your back that protect your spinal cord and support your body

columna vertebral, espina dorsal

• have a strong backbone

Collocations spinal column · vertebral column

• She has a bad pain in her backbone.

  Tiene un dolor fuerte en la espina dorsal.

the main part of something that gives it support or strength, especially the most important beliefs and principles on which a system is based

espalda, base, estructura fundamental

• be the backbone of something

Collocations the backbone of society · the backbone of an organization

• The army is the backbone of national security.

  El ejército es la base de la seguridad nacional.