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

Investors have more room to work with, with the 200-day near $107 serving as a longer-term backstop given how far the stock has climbed above it. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 6 July 2026

The 29-year-old backstop was released by the New York Yankees just two days prior, having previously departed the Phillies' minor league system in free agency. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Verb

To earn the starting spot, Langeliers beat out Blue Jays backstop Alejandro Kirk in the head-to-head Phase 2 of fan voting, MLB announced Saturday. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026

Even the $625 million in federal security funding meant to backstop the cities was still being lobbied for late in the process, and, averaged across 11 hosts, wouldn’t come close to covering the bills. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 June 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