backstop

[bak-stop]

noun

1. a wall, wire screen, or the like, serving to prevent a ball from going too far beyond the normal playing area.

2. Baseball.,  the catcher.

3. 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)

backstopped, backstopping 

1. to act as a backstop.

verb (used with object)

backstopped, backstopping 

1. to act as a backstop to.

   The government agreed to backstop companies that invested in oil exploration.

backstop

/ ˈbækˌstɒp /

noun

1. sport a screen or fence to prevent balls leaving the playing area

2. a block or catch to prevent excessive backward movement, such as one on the sliding seat of a rowing boat

verb

1. to provide with backing or support

Other Word Forms

• backstopper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of backstop¹

First recorded in 1810–20; back ¹ + stop

Example Sentences

In light of the federal government’s efforts to support the AI infrastructure buildout, Christine Ji looked into whether or not there may eventually be pressure for a government backstop for AI companies.

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In light of the federal government’s efforts to support the AI infrastructure buildout, Christine Ji looked into whether or not there may eventually be pressure for a government backstop for AI companies.

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How the U.S. government is backstopping the tech boom.

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Last week, OpenAI’s CFO Sarah Friar made, and then walked back, comments about a federal “backstop” for the company’s artificial-intelligence infrastructure commitments.

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Ms. Friar was light on the details last week, and after the Journal event she backtracked, saying her use of the word “backstop” had “muddied” things.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bar 
• barbed wire 
• barricade 
• block 
• dike 
• net 
• rail 
• railing 
• roadblock 
• wall