backstop Meaning & Definition
What Does Backstop Mean?
As a noun, backstop means something at the back serving as a stop. It is also used to mean a screen or fence for keeping a ball from leaving the field of play. As a verb, it means support, bolster.
Quick Facts About Backstop
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈbak-ˌstäp/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | abet, aid and assist |
| Antonyms | hinder, balk and bar |
| Plural | backstops |
| Verb forms | backstops, backstopping, backstopped |
Backstop Definition (Noun)
- something at the back serving as a stop: such as
- a screen or fence for keeping a ball from leaving the field of play
- a stop (such as a pawl) that prevents a backward movement (as of a wheel)
- a player (such as the catcher) positioned behind the batter
- 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.
Backstop as a Verb
- support, bolster
… will have to find ways to backstop his now struggling efforts.
- to serve as a backstop to
- to play the position of goalkeeper for
backstop a hockey team
Synonyms of Backstop
Backstop synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Backstop
Backstop in a Sentence
As the cold war heated up, Hoover became the country's backstop against subversion.
… will have to find ways to backstop his now struggling efforts.
backstop a hockey team
the Nobel-winning geneticist was of course backstopped in his research by a team of highly talented assistants
Word Forms & Grammar
back·stops
backstop
backstops
back·stopped
back·stop·ping
backstopped
backstopping
backstop (plural backstops)
backstop (third-person singular simple present backstops, present participle backstopping, simple past and past participle backstopped)
Words That Rhyme With Backstop
Origin of Backstop
From back + stop.
First Known Use
1819
1865
How Do You Say Backstop?
You say backstop as /ˈbak-ˌstäp/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (bak).
Backstop: Your Questions Answered
Is backstop a noun or a verb?
Backstop is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for backstop?
You can replace backstop with words such as abet, aid and assist. See the full list of backstop synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of backstop?
The plural of backstop is backstops.
What is the past tense of backstop?
The past tense of backstop is backstopped. The present participle is backstopping.
More About Backstop On Meaning Stash
More Words Starting With “Back”
- back
- back-and-forth
- back-and-forths
- back-bench
- back-breaking
- back-burners
- back-channel
- back-check
- back-cloth
- back-crawl