sup·port / səˈpôrt/ • v. [tr.] 1. bear all or part of the weight of; hold up: the dome was supported by a hundred white columns. ∎  produce enough food and water for; be capable of sustaining: the land had lost its capacity to support life. ∎  be capable of fulfilling (a role) adequately: tutors gain practical experience that helps them support their tutoring role. ∎  endure; tolerate: at work during the day I could support the grief.2. give assistance to, esp. financially; enable to function or act: the government gives $2.5 billion a year to support the activities of the voluntary sector. ∎  provide with a home and the necessities of life: my main concern was to support my family. ∎  give comfort and emotional help to: I like to visit her to support her. ∎  approve of and encourage: the proposal was supported by many delegates. ∎  suggest the truth of; corroborate: the studies support our findings. ∎  be actively interested in and concerned for the success of (a particular sports team). ∎  [as adj.] (supporting) (of an actor or a role) important in a play or film but subordinate to the leading parts. ∎  (of a pop or rock group or performer) function as a secondary act to (another) at a concert.3. Comput. (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.• n. 1. a thing that bears the weight of something or keeps it upright: the best support for a camera is a tripod. ∎  the action or state of bearing the weight of something or someone or of being so supported: she clutched the sideboard for support.2. material assistance: he urged that military support be sent to protect humanitarian convoys | [as adj.] support staff. ∎  comfort and emotional help offered to someone in distress: she's been through a bad time and needs our support. ∎  approval and encouragement: the policies of reform enjoy widespread support. ∎  a secondary act at a pop or rock concert. ∎  technical help given to the user of a computer or other product.PHRASES: in support of giving assistance to: air operations in support of the land forces. ∎  showing approval of: the paper printed many letters in support of the government. ∎  attempting to promote or obtain: a strike in support of an 8.5% pay raise.DERIVATIVES: sup·port·a·bil·i·ty / səˌpôrtəˈbilitē/ n.sup·port·a·ble adj.