SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

backrope

noun
Save Word

Definition of backrope

1 : a rope or chain extending aft on each side of a sailing ship from the lower end of the dolphin striker to the bows
2 : cat back

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of backrope

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Learn More About backrope

Time Traveler for backrope

Time Traveler

The first known use of backrope was in 1840

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near backrope

backroom boy

backrope

back rub

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for backrope

Cite this Entry

“Backrope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backrope. Accessed 29 Jun. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

duress

Listen to the pronunciation of duress

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Which Word Does Not Belong?

  • one green toy robot amidst many red toy robots
  • Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games