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Backup vs Emergency - What's the difference?

backup | emergency |

As nouns the difference between backup and emergency

is that backup is a reserve or substitute while emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.

As an adjective backup

is standby, reserve or extra.

backup

English

Alternative forms

* back-up

Noun

(en noun)
  • A reserve or substitute.
    • If the goalkeeper is injured, we have a backup .
  • (computing) A copy of a file or record, stored separately from the original, that can be used to recover the original if it is destroyed or damaged.
    • After the power failure, we had to restore the database from backup .
  • An accumulation of material that halts the flow or movement of something.
    • The blockage caused a backup in the plumbing.
  • (law enforcement) reinforcements
    • He's got a gun - you better send for backup .

    Synonyms

    * (reserve ): reserve, stand-in, spare, substitute * (computing: copy of a file or record ): * (accumulation of material that halts flow ): block, blockage

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Standby, reserve or extra.
    • I am only a backup player.
  • (computing) That is intended as a backup.
    • Make a backup copy of that file.

    Synonyms

    * (reserve) extra, reserve, spare, standby

    Usage notes

    Back-up'' is an alternative spelling of backup. Both spellings are used as either a noun or an adjective. The verb ''back up is always spelled as two words and never with a hyphen.

    emergency

    English

    Noun

    (emergencies)
  • A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.
  • :Cardiac arrest is an emergency and if you find someone in cardiac arrest you should call 999 immediately.
  • (US, Canada, often attributive) The department of a hospital that treats emergencies.
  • An individual brought in at short notice to replace a member of staff, a player in a sporting team, etc.
  • * November 2 2014 , Daniel Taylor, " Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk
    • Van Gaal responded by replacing Adnan Januzaj with Carrick and, in fairness, the emergency centre-half did exceedingly well given that he has not played since May.
  • (archaic) The quality of being emergent; sudden or unexpected appearance; an unforeseen occurrence.

    • Synonyms

    * (hospital department) ER, casualty, emerg

    Derived terms

    * emergency department * emergency entrance * emergency exit * emergency room * emergency ward * emergency medical services * state of emergency * emergency response * Emergency Medical Technician * The Emergency

    See also

    * fire department * police