backstop

American  

[bak-stop] / ˈbækˌstɒp /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to provide with backing or support

Other Word Forms

• backstopper
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of backstop

First recorded in 1810–20; back ¹ + stop

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Explanation

In baseball, a backstop is the wall or fence behind home plate that keeps the ball on the playing field. If the batter hits the ball into the backstop, it's a foul ball. When a softball player is up at bat, the backstop is behind her. Part of the backstop's purpose is to keep players and spectators from getting hurt by foul balls or bats that players toss after hitting the ball. You can also use the word backstop to describe a thing or a person that stands behind something, offering reinforcement or support. The earliest use of the word, in 1819, is from cricket.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

backstop backstopped backstopping

When the president requires an emotional backstop and perhaps a bit of reining in, the first gentleman exercises his own version of diplomacy.

From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2026

"Benefits will become the backstop, not the starting point," Burnham wrote in his piece published in Monday's paper.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

In the past, courts have supplied this important backstop in other widespread policy challenges, such as the public health threats of tobacco use and the opioid epidemic, that lacked adequate legislative or regulatory responses.

From Slate ● Sep. 29, 2026

Ellison’s father, billionaire Larry Ellison, late last year agreed to backstop the $47-billion in equity needed to complete the acquisition.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026

I march to the field, along the edge of the grass, all the way to the far corner, away from the school, behind the backstop.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

The concerns about security are broader than AI, and include vulnerable undersea cables that provide global connectivity, some of which can’t be backstopped by satellites.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

California backstopped the federal subsidies for the lowest-income enrollees — mostly those for households earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level, or $23,940 for individuals and $49,500 for a family of four.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026

In 2020, they backstopped money market mutual funds.

From Barron's ● Feb. 18, 2026

In the traditional model, developers and external investors—often infrastructure funds and banks—took on the risk of developing and constructing the project, with financing backstopped by the creditworthy tech company’s power purchase agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 16, 2026

Multiple Democratic- and Republican-run states, as well as Native American tribes, declared emergencies and backstopped tens of millions of dollars for food payments, while acknowledging that that still wouldn’t suffice.

From Slate ● Nov. 6, 2025

But backstopping markets removes a key risk and encourages more borrowing—especially for the hedge funds that now own trillions of dollars of U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

Larger technology companies have started backstopping deals with AI startups to help them secure access.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

Warner’s board told shareholders to reject Paramount’s bid last week, citing concerns that the Ellisons weren’t fully backstopping the financing.

From Barron's ● Dec. 22, 2025

The deal doesn’t go into effect until the 2024-25 season, but Ilya Sorokin received $66 million over the following eight years to continue backstopping the New York Islanders.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 3, 2023

"I'll let that do most of the backstopping."

From Rival Pitchers of Oakdale by Morgan Scott

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Related Words

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