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

That said, consumer spending has proven resilient, likely providing a backstop to the job market, Zhao said. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025

But the third pillar, the European Deposit Insurance Scheme, which would provide a common backstop that protects deposits regardless of where in the eurozone a bank is located, remains unfinished, leaving the entire banking union structurally incomplete. —Douglas Rediker, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2025

Verb

Google will backstop Fluidstack’s lease payments, underscoring Big Tech’s role in de-risking these projects. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025

Williams was looking for feedback on the Fed’s use of a standing repo facility, a permanent lending tool that can backstop markets, per the report. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 17 Nov. 2025

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