backstop

1 of 2

noun

back·​stop ˈbak-ˌstäp How to pronounce backstop (audio)
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
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 Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The narrative permits have operated almost as a backstop in case permits that quantify what can be discharged still result in unacceptable water quality, Minoli said. CBS News, 4 Mar. 2025 Success will depend primarily on the U.S. and Russia, Nickel added, noting a key question to watch is whether European troops in Ukraine and any potential U.S. security backstop motivate Russia to reject peace talks. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
Kellogg would not confirm that as part of a peace agreement the U.S. would backstop any European peacekeeping forces by providing security guarantees to Ukraine. Sophia Barkoff, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2025 Indeed, data from JPMorgan underscores that purported disconnect: The bank’s latest report indicates that small-scale traders have continued to backstop the U.S. equity market — even as AAII’s survey flashes warning signs from this group. Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for backstop

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of backstop was in 1819

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstop. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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