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 WebBloomberg, The Mercury News, 24 June 2024
Many Democrats like nuclear for its zero-carbon electricity, while Republicans point to its ability to provide steady baseload power, seen as a reliable backstop to more intermittent wind and solar.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN, 19 June 2024
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2024
The idea was to satisfy Republicans who were frustrated with temporary funding bills and backstop their demands for regular budgetary processes and spending cuts.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 15 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for backstop 
Noun
The utility industry is openly discussing the need to set up a federal program that could provide a type of insurance backstop for smaller power companies that have limited financial resources.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 24 June 2024
Many Democrats like nuclear for its zero-carbon electricity, while Republicans point to its ability to provide steady baseload power, seen as a reliable backstop to more intermittent wind and solar.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN, 19 June 2024
Verb
Perez was listed in second place behind Baltimore Orioles backstop Adley Rutschman at catcher.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2024
The idea was to satisfy Republicans who were frustrated with temporary funding bills and backstop their demands for regular budgetary processes and spending cuts.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 15 Dec. 2023
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.
Articles Related to backstop
Dictionary Entries Near backstop
Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstop. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share