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

The backup brought the ship into port during the regular season, stabilizing the backstop amid a tooth-and-nail playoff race, but isn’t exactly a name-brand netminder. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026

And after Austin Wells walked, Caballero scored when Romano bounced a full-count slider to Ryan McMahon to the backstop. —Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026

Verb

That meant the Eisenhower administration, acting as the adult in the room, could pressure them economically by refusing to backstop a rescue for the pound. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026

The Ellison Guarantee refers to Oracle founder Larry Ellison’s personal guarantee to backstop the Warners deal for his son, should any other equity deals fall through. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 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