prop

¹

[prop]

verb (used with object)

propped, propping 

1. to support, or prevent from falling, with or as if with a prop (often followed byup ).

   to prop an old fence; to prop up an unpopular government.

   Synonyms: bolster, buttress, brace

2. to rest (a thing) against a support.

   He propped his cane against the wall.

3. to support or sustain (often followed byup ).

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.

prop

²

[prop]

noun

Theater.

1. property.

prop

³

[prop]

noun

1. a propeller.

prop-

⁴

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

   propanil.

prop.

⁵

abbreviation

1. properly.

2. property.

3. proposition.

4. proprietary.

5. proprietor.

prop

¹

/ prɒp /

verb

1. (tr) to support with a rigid object, such as a stick

2. to place or lean

3. (tr) to sustain or support

4. (intr) 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

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

prop

²

/ prɒp /

noun

1. short for property

prop

³

/ prɒp /

noun

1. an informal word for propeller

Other Word Forms

• unpropped adjective
• propless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prop¹

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”

Origin of prop²

First recorded in 1910–15; by shortening

Origin of prop³

First recorded in 1910–15; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of prop¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see knock the bottom (props) out from.

Example Sentences

On that drawing last year: the Ontario Sky Mules, with a whimsical logo of a grinning donkey wearing sunglasses and flying a prop plane.

From Los Angeles Times

It is wealthier Americans who are increasingly propping up the consumer economy, the study showed.

From BBC

UCLA’s researchers go low-tech to plead their case to the public with poster boards and props.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a climate of corruption in which no one has the integrity to admit what’s clear — that the Texas economy is propped up in part by an undocumented workforce.

From Los Angeles Times

Curators had access to Spielberg’s archive at Amblin, which included sketches, notes and props, but they also wanted to scour private collections, auction records and storage rooms for pieces few thought would resurface.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brace 

When To Use

What does prop mean?

In theater and film, a prop is any item on the set of a production other than the costumes and scenery. It especially refers to an object handled or used by actors during their performance.This can be just about anything: a sword, a supercomputer, and a coffee mug are all examples of things that can be used as props in a production. Sometimes, these are real objects (like the coffee mug), but sometimes they are specially made for the production (like the supercomputer).The word can also be used more generally to refer to an item used in a similar way, such as during a presentation or photoshoot.Example: At my improv class, we have a box of items we can use as props during each scene.Unrelatedly, prop is also a common verb meaning to support something or hold it up, especially by using something else. This sense of the verb is most commonly used in the verb phrase prop up, as in One of the legs is broken so we had to prop up the table with the trash can. It can also be used figuratively, as in Holiday sales are the only thing propping up the company.Prop can also mean rest or lean something against something else that serves as a support, as in I don’t have a stand for my guitar so I just prop it against the wall.Something that serves as a support for something in this way can be called a prop, as in We’ll need to use a prop to keep it stable.Example: Prop the door open with a chair so we don’t get locked out.