propped; propping
1
a
: to support by placing something under or against
—often used with up
b
: to support by placing against something
2
: sustain, strengthen
—often used with up
a government propped up by the military
1
: property sense 3
stage props
2
: something used in creating or enhancing a desired effect
buy books … as cultural props because they want to appear literate—
John Powers
John Powers
: related to propionic acid
propane
propyl
Synonyms
Examples of prop in a Sentence
Noun (1)
a prop kept the porch of the dilapidated house from collapsing
Verb
She propped the rake against a tree.
We propped the shed's roof with poles.
The window was propped open.
Recent Examples on the WebAaron Katersky, ABC News, 28 May 2024
When the weather is mild, don’t be surprised to find everyone’s front door propped open to let in a breeze from the river—but more importantly welcome guests inside.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 May 2024
On a Saturday evening in late April, the door of the Libros Lincoln Heights is propped open.
—Claire O’Callahan, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2024
Either your head falls forward, or to the side, or you’re propped in such an unnatural way that sleep is just not going to happen.
—Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2024
Avoid propping bottles up, as this can also pose a choking risk and may even cause ear infections.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 16 May 2024
Roblox has made efforts to prop itself up by integrating ads into its platform.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 May 2024
In the Noël Coward suite, charming landscape oils by the playwright, actor and composer hang on walls and are propped on an easel.
—Jane Margolies, New York Times, 8 May 2024
The first casualty is a gleaming trumpet, propped heroically on its bell at the top of the pile.
—Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 May 2024
Lauren Huff, EW.com, 11 May 2024
The addition of her new album to the show was part of a larger restructuring of her setlist and concert, which featured brand new costumes, choreography and props throughout.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024
The show also includes beach-type props and costuming. ▪ N-Halen: A Tribute to Van Halen concludes the concert season with a 6 p.m. performance Sept. 14.
—Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2024
Students will get a place of their own The new Herzfeld Foundation Education & Engagement Center is being built in space formerly occupied by production shops for scenic carpentry and painting; those units plus prop and set storage are moving offsite to an industrial building in Wauwatosa.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024
He’s even shot with the fake weapon and pretends to fall dead, a knowing wink to the fact that all of the guns featured in the movie are props.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
And while a larger X-wing starfighter prop that was used in the 2019 film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hangs at the National Air and Space Museum in downtown Washington, D.C., the drone unveiled this month may inspire viewers in a different way.
—Kelyn Soong, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 May 2024
Yes, Donny eventually has a career breakthrough, when a physical fight with Martha and a crowd that fails to respond to his hacky prop comedy drive him to confess his whole saga—stalking, Darrien, and all—onstage.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
So in addition to standard directing tasks of knowing and teaching the staging, her work in rehearsal includes giving cues and making sure props are set up correctly.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2024
Verb
Trump, at the defense table, appears fully engaged, with one arm propped on the back of his chair, looking directly at Blanche's back.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 28 May 2024
When the weather is mild, don’t be surprised to find everyone’s front door propped open to let in a breeze from the river—but more importantly welcome guests inside.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 May 2024
On a Saturday evening in late April, the door of the Libros Lincoln Heights is propped open.
—Claire O’Callahan, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2024
Either your head falls forward, or to the side, or you’re propped in such an unnatural way that sleep is just not going to happen.
—Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2024
Avoid propping bottles up, as this can also pose a choking risk and may even cause ear infections.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 16 May 2024
Roblox has made efforts to prop itself up by integrating ads into its platform.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 May 2024
In the Noël Coward suite, charming landscape oils by the playwright, actor and composer hang on walls and are propped on an easel.
—Jane Margolies, New York Times, 8 May 2024
The first casualty is a gleaming trumpet, propped heroically on its bell at the top of the pile.
—Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 May 2024
Noun
The singer's props were set up on stage when someone with the production instructed them to be removed.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 11 May 2024
The addition of her new album to the show was part of a larger restructuring of her setlist and concert, which featured brand new costumes, choreography and props throughout.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024
The show also includes beach-type props and costuming. ▪ N-Halen: A Tribute to Van Halen concludes the concert season with a 6 p.m. performance Sept. 14.
—Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2024
Students will get a place of their own The new Herzfeld Foundation Education & Engagement Center is being built in space formerly occupied by production shops for scenic carpentry and painting; those units plus prop and set storage are moving offsite to an industrial building in Wauwatosa.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024
He’s even shot with the fake weapon and pretends to fall dead, a knowing wink to the fact that all of the guns featured in the movie are props.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
And while a larger X-wing starfighter prop that was used in the 2019 film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hangs at the National Air and Space Museum in downtown Washington, D.C., the drone unveiled this month may inspire viewers in a different way.
—Kelyn Soong, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 May 2024
Yes, Donny eventually has a career breakthrough, when a physical fight with Martha and a crowd that fails to respond to his hacky prop comedy drive him to confess his whole saga—stalking, Darrien, and all—onstage.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
So in addition to standard directing tasks of knowing and teaching the staging, her work in rehearsal includes giving cues and making sure props are set up correctly.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Cite this Entry
“Prop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prop. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prop
1 of 4 noun
: something that props or supports
prop
2 of 4 verb
propped; propping
1
a
: to hold up or keep from falling or slipping by placing a support under or against
prop up a broken chair
b
: to support by placing against something
propped the rake against a tree
2
: to give help, encouragement, or support to
propped up by his faith in times of crisis
prop
3 of 4 nounprop
4 of 4 nounLove words? Need even more definitions?
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