prop

1
[ prop ]
See synonyms for prop on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),propped, prop·ping.
  1. to support, or prevent from falling, with or as if with a prop (often followed by up): to prop an old fence; to prop up an unpopular government.

  2. to rest (a thing) against a support: He propped his cane against the wall.

  1. to support or sustain (often followed by up).

noun
  1. a stick, rod, pole, beam, or other rigid support.

  2. a person or thing serving as a support or stay: His father is his financial prop.

Origin of prop

1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English noun prop(p)e “support, support for a vine or plant”; cognate with Middle Dutch proppe “bottle stopper,” early Modern Dutch “support for vines”

Other words for prop

Other words from prop

  • un·propped, adjective

Words Nearby prop

Other definitions for prop (2 of 5)

prop2
[ prop ]

nounTheater.

Origin of prop

2
First recorded in 1910–15; by shortening

Other words from prop

  • propless, adjective

Other definitions for prop (3 of 5)

prop3
[ prop ]

noun
  1. a propeller.

Origin of prop

3
First recorded in 1910–15; by shortening

Other definitions for prop- (4 of 5)

prop-

  1. a combining form representing propionic acid in compound words: propanil.

Other definitions for prop. (5 of 5)

prop.

abbreviation
  1. properly.

  2. property.

  1. proposition.

  2. proprietary.

  3. proprietor.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use prop in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prop (1 of 3)

prop1

/ (prɒp) /


verbprops, propping or propped (when tr, often foll by up)
  1. (tr) to support with a rigid object, such as a stick

  2. (tr usually also foll by against) to place or lean

  1. (tr) to sustain or support

  2. (intr) Australian and NZ to stop suddenly or unexpectedly

noun
  1. something that gives rigid support, such as a stick

  2. a person or thing giving support, as of a moral or spiritual nature

  1. rugby either of the forwards at either end of the front row of a scrum

Origin of prop

1
C15: related to Middle Dutch proppe vine prop; compare Old High German pfropfo shoot, German Pfropfen stopper

British Dictionary definitions for prop (2 of 3)

prop2

/ (prɒp) /


noun

British Dictionary definitions for prop (3 of 3)

prop3

/ (prɒp) /


noun
  1. an informal word for propeller

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with prop

prop

see knock the bottom (props) out from.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.