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

The San Diego Padres need more catching depth, and their search could lead them to a longtime Red Sox backstop. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025

Even when judges are carefully looking over search warrant applications, Johnson County Chief Judge Thomas Kelly Ryan said in an interview that having prosecutors take a look beforehand serves as an important backstop. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025

Verb

As is normal in our current system, additional firefighters from outside the local area arrived to backstop the initial responders when they were exhausted after their 24- or 48-hour shifts. —Jay Balagna, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2025

Some analysts advocate for full privatization, meaning the government would not provide assurances to backstop the two mortgage companies. —Samantha Delouya, CNN, 2 Dec. 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