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backstop
[ bak-stop ]
/ ˈbækˌstɒp /
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noun
a wall, wire screen, or the like, serving to prevent a ball from going too far beyond the normal playing area.
Baseball. the catcher.
a person or thing that serves as a support, safeguard, or reinforcement: There were technicians on board as backstops to the automated controls.
verb (used without object), back·stopped, back·stop·ping.
to act as a backstop.
verb (used with object), back·stopped, back·stop·ping.
to act as a backstop to: The government agreed to backstop companies that invested in oil exploration.
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OTHER WORDS FROM backstop
backstopper, nounWords nearby backstop
back staff, backstage, backstairs, backstay, backstitch, backstop, backstory, back straight, backstrap loom, back street, backstretch
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use backstop in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for backstop
backstop
/ (ˈbækˌstɒp) /
noun
sport a screen or fence to prevent balls leaving the playing area
a block or catch to prevent excessive backward movement, such as one on the sliding seat of a rowing boat
verb -stops, -stopping or -stopped (tr)
US to provide with backing or support
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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