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
David M. Oshinsky
backstopped; backstopping; backstops
2
: to serve as a backstop to
3
: to play the position of goalkeeper for
backstop a hockey team
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 WebIra Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2024
Since 2019, the backstop’s 10.1% walk rate ranks 8th among qualified MLB catchers, while his 3404.0 innings caught behind the plate are 12th most in all of baseball in that span.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2024
Philip Bump, Washington Post, 11 July 2024
Crime reductions were seen across the board, from precincts to NYCHA housing facilities to the subway system, where Gov. Hochul called in the National Guard to backstop the NYPD to keep an eye out for crimes and do bag checks.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for backstop 
Noun
The thought with Lillard was having a backstop in Antetokounmpo would solve the Lillard issues on the defensive end, just as the Heat thought could be the case with Bam Adebayo as a Lillard backstop.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2024
Since 2019, the backstop’s 10.1% walk rate ranks 8th among qualified MLB catchers, while his 3404.0 innings caught behind the plate are 12th most in all of baseball in that span.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2024
Verb
Perhaps this indicates a lack of familiarity with Biden’s performance in the debate, which backstops his support.
—Philip Bump, Washington Post, 11 July 2024
Crime reductions were seen across the board, from precincts to NYCHA housing facilities to the subway system, where Gov. Hochul called in the National Guard to backstop the NYPD to keep an eye out for crimes and do bag checks.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for backstop
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backstop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstop. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
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