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
David M. Oshinsky
backstopped; backstopping; backstops
2
: to serve as a backstop to
3
: to play the position of goalkeeper for
backstop a hockey team
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 WebMiles Parks, NPR, 4 Sep. 2024
Fans in lawn chairs — some who staked out prime backstop locations hours before first pitch and one woman who has been clanging the same cow bell here for decades — ring the field, while others sit on blankets on a berm down the left-field line.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2024
Kathleen Hurley, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Perhaps this indicates a lack of familiarity with Biden’s performance in the debate, which backstops his support.
—Philip Bump, Washington Post, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for backstop 
Noun
That’s partly because of changes implemented since 2020 and partly because the legal system has shown an ability to be a backstop against political interference in the process.
—Miles Parks, NPR, 4 Sep. 2024
Fans in lawn chairs — some who staked out prime backstop locations hours before first pitch and one woman who has been clanging the same cow bell here for decades — ring the field, while others sit on blankets on a berm down the left-field line.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2024
Verb
The viewpoints, even if there is conflict, will enhance the dialogue and backstop the audit from becoming an empty shell.
—Kathleen Hurley, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Perhaps this indicates a lack of familiarity with Biden’s performance in the debate, which backstops his support.
—Philip Bump, Washington Post, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for backstop
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backstop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstop. Accessed 21 Sep. 2024.
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