backstop

[ bak-stop ]

noun

1. a wall, wire screen, or the like, serving to prevent a ball from going too far beyond the normal playing area.
2. Baseball. the catcher.
3. a person or thing that serves as a support, safeguard, or reinforcement:

   There were technicians on board as backstops to the automated controls.

verb (used without object)

, back·stopped, back·stop·ping.

1. to act as a backstop.

verb (used with object)

, back·stopped, back·stop·ping.

1. to act as a backstop to:

   The government agreed to backstop companies that invested in oil exploration.

backstop

/ ˈbækˌstɒp /

noun

1. sport a screen or fence to prevent balls leaving the playing area
2. a block or catch to prevent excessive backward movement, such as one on the sliding seat of a rowing boat

verb

1. to provide with backing or support

Other Words From

• backstopper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of backstop¹

First recorded in 1810–20; back ¹ + stop

Example Sentences

“But what we didn’t want was somebody driving up to the Rose Bowl to see the beautiful marquee and have this giant scoreboard behind it like a backstop.”

From Los Angeles Times

He added that a "backstop" law to limit profits was "close to impossible to design and police".

From BBC

“It wasn’t unanimous, but we go with the majority and a majority said you have the right to be there,” John said when we met at the backstop after batting practice before the first game.

From Los Angeles Times

In his letter, Theodoridis told Nandy that "the concept of a backstop power introduces significant concerns regarding the balance of power within football governance".

From BBC

A robust shelf-testing program is viewed by its supporters as a crucial backstop to a system that currently relies on private cannabis labs paid by producers to pass or fail their products.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bar
• barbed wire
• barricade
• block
• dike
• net
• rail
• railing
• roadblock
• wall