/sə'pɔ:t; sə`pɔrt/
v
1 [Tn] bear the weight of (sth/sb); hold in position; carry 承受（某物[某人]）的重量; 支撑; 扶持
*a beam supporting a roof 支承屋顶的横梁
* Is this bridge strong enough to support heavy lorries? 这座桥禁得住重型卡车通行吗?
* He was weak with hunger, so I had to support him. 他饿得没有力气, 我得搀着他.
2 (a) [Tn, Tn.pr] ~ sb/sth (in sth) help sb/sth by one's approval or sympathy or by giving money （用表示赞同或同情或给钱）帮助某人[某事物]; 支持; 支援; 资助
*support a cause, political party, reform 支持某事业、政党、改革
* donate money to support a charity 捐款赞助慈善事业
* The directors were trying to get rid of her, but her staff all supported her. 董事都想把她撤掉, 可是她那部门的人员全都支持她.
* The American public stopped supporting the war in Vietnam. 美国公众不再支持美国在越南进行的战争了.
* Will you support me in my campaign for election? 你支持我参加竞选吗?
(b) [Tn] be a regular customer of or visitor to (sth); be a fan of (a team, etc) 经常光顾（某处）; 为（某队等）捧场
*Support your local theatre
*buy tickets regularly! 请大力支持本地剧院, 欢迎经常光临!
* Which football team do you support? 你是哪个足球队的球迷?
3 [Tn] help to show that (a theory, claim, etc) is true; confirm 支持（某理论、主张等）; 证实; 肯定
*a theory that is not supported by the facts 缺乏事实根据的理论
* This evidence supports my argument that she is guilty. 这一证据支持了我认为她有罪的推定.
4 [Tn] provide (sb) with the necessary money, etc to buy food, accommodation,etc 资助, 供养, 赡养（某人）
*I was supported by my parents when I was studying. 我求学期间由父母供养.
5 [Tn] provide enough food and water to keep (sb/sth) alive （提供食物和水）维持（某人[某物]）的生命
*Such a barren desert can support very few creatures. 在这样荒瘠的沙漠里, 很少生物能够存活.

n
1 [U] ~ (for sth) supporting or being supported 支撑; 扶持; 支持; 支援; 资助; 供养; 维持
*adequate support for the great weight of the crane 对起重机巨大重量的足够的支承力
* a proposal that received no, little, not much, etc support 没有人、很少有人、没有多少人...支持的建议
* I need some financial support for this venture. 我需要一些财务赞助来兴办这一企业.
* Can I rely on your support (ie Will you vote for me) in this election? 在此次选举中你能支持我吗?
* She is without any visible means of support, ie has no work, income, etc. 她生活无着（无工作、收入等）.
2 [C] thing that supports or bears the weight of sth 支撑物; 支柱; 支座; 支架
*wearing an athletic support 穿着下体护身
* supports holding up a collapsing wall 支撑危墙的柱子.
3 [C] person who gives help, sympathy, etc 给予帮助、同情等的人
*Jim was a great support to us when father died. 父亲死後, 吉姆给了我们巨大的帮助.
4 [U] people who support a political party, team, etc （政党、球队等的）支持者, 拥护者
*The theatre has had to close for lack of support. 这家剧院光顾者寡只好关闭.
5 (idm 习语) in sup`port (eg of troops) in reserve; ready to give support （如指军队等）後备的, 准备给予支援的
*We have ten people to do the cooking, with several more in support. 我们有十个人做饭, 还有几个人可随时来帮忙. in support of sb/sth supporting sb/sth; in favour of sb/sth 支持或支援某人[某事物]
*speak in support of a ban on arms supplies 讲话支持武器禁运.