backstop

1 of 2

noun

back·​stop ˈbak-ˌstäp 

plural backstops

1

: something at the back serving as a stop: such as

a

: a screen or fence for keeping a ball from leaving the field of play

b

: a stop (such as a pawl) that prevents a backward movement (as of a wheel)

2

: a player (such as the catcher) positioned behind the batter

3

: something or someone that provides dependable support or protection against failure or loss

As the cold war heated up, Hoover became the country's backstop against subversion.

—David M. Oshinsky

backstop

2 of 2

verb

backstopped; backstopping; backstops

transitive verb

1

: support, bolster

2

: to serve as a backstop to

3

: to play the position of goalkeeper for

backstop a hockey team

Synonyms

Verb

• abet
• aid
• assist
• back
• help
• prop (up)
• support

Examples of backstop in a Sentence

Noun

The pitch got past the catcher and rolled all the way to the backstop.

kept some gold as a backstop in case the value of the local currency collapsed

Verb

the Nobel-winning geneticist was of course backstopped in his research by a team of highly talented assistants

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Anvil pruners have a straight blade that closes against a backstop, or small anvil. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2024

Elon Musk's super PAC is providing Republicans a critical funding backstop in key House districts, pouring millions of dollars into helping GOP candidates in races across the country. —Andrew Solender, Axios, 8 Oct. 2024

Verb

Under my system, the United States would still backstop the continent’s security by providing a nuclear umbrella and deploying its naval resources. —Sumantra Maitra, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024

At the August trade deadline, the team’s president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, loaded up on bullpen arms to backstop the starting rotation that was built for fall, but damaged or missing over the summer. —Dan Freedman, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

backstop

noun

back·​stop

ˈbak-ˌstäp

1

: a screen or fence to keep a ball from leaving the field of play

2

: a baseball catcher