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

… will have to find ways to backstop his now struggling efforts.

—Reilly Dowd

2

: to serve as a backstop to

3

: to play the position of goalkeeper for

backstop a hockey team

Synonyms of backstop

Verb

• aid
• assist
• help
• 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

Travel insurance policies offer a financial backstop to buyers for various unforeseen snafus, like having to pay for medical care abroad or for a hotel room after a flight delay or cancellation. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026

For many people, that means credit card minimums get paid late or balances keep growing as cards become the backstop for everyday expenses. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026

Verb

In part to brace for that volatility, Pritzker has ordered agencies to reserve up to 4% of their general funds in the current $55 billion budget and worked with lawmakers to create a special fund to backstop programs hit by federal cuts. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026

Trump has suggested on social media that America would help to backstop any investments. —Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for backstop

• atop
• backdrop
• bebop
• blacktop
• bookshop
• clatsop
• desktop
• eavesdrop
• estop
• hardtop
• hilltop
• laptop

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