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• prop
  prop

  verb (used with object)

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

  a combining form representing propionic acid in compound words.
• prop.
  prop.

  abbreviation

  properly.

prop

¹ American  

[prop] / prɒp /

verb (used with object)

• props,
  present (3rd person singular)
• propped,
  past participle,  past
• propping
  present participle

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 ).

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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 American  

[prop] / prɒp /

noun

Theater.

1. property.

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prop ³ American  

[prop] / prɒp /

noun

1. a propeller.

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prop- ⁴ American  

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

   propanil.

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prop. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. properly.

2. property.

3. proposition.

4. proprietary.

5. proprietor.

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prop ¹ British  

/ 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

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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 British  

/ prɒp /

noun

1. short for property

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prop ³ British  

/ prɒp /

noun

1. an informal word for propeller

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prop Idioms  

1. see knock the bottom (props) out from.

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• propless
  adjective
• unpropped
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• propping
  present
• propped
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• prop
  simple
• props
  simple
• have propped
  perfect
• has propped
  perfect
• am propping
  progressive
• are propping
  progressive
• is propping
  progressive
• have been propping
  perfect progressive
• has been propping
  perfect progressive

Past

• propped
  simple
• had propped
  perfect
• was propping
  progressive
• were propping
  progressive
• had been propping
  perfect progressive

Future

• will prop
  simple
• will have propped
  perfect
• will be propping
  progressive
• will have been propping
  perfect progressive

Etymology

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

Explanation

A prop is something you use as a support, like a broom that serves as a prop to hold a door open. A prop is also something that goes on stage, like a garbage can in a Beckett play. When you use a prop, you can say you prop something, or prop it up: "Here, prop your blanket fort up with this chair." This handy word also means "a moveable object used on the set of a movie or play." If you get a film job as a prop master, you'll be in charge of placing props in the correct spot before a scene is shot. This theatrical meaning is actually a shortened form of properties.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prop prop- prop. props propped propping

Spectacularly, one was a huge prop whale named Moloch.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026

People like Rupar, who post candid videos and photos that reveal his human weakness, pierce through the increasingly fragile White House efforts to prop up the 80-year-old president as the epitome of strength and masculinity.

From Salon ● Sep. 16, 2026

Isabel Wang explained how governments’ efforts to intervene and prop up currencies or hold down interest rates might have the opposite effect.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 4, 2026

The 31-year-old loose-head prop won his fifth cap in the defeat by South Africa in July, backing up first-choice Ellis Genge off the bench.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

Mareth started to prepare food, but Solovet ordered him to lie down and prop up his leg.

From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins

Thanks to the increased efficiency of waterjets and the lower drag of a shaft-, strut-, prop- and rudder-free bottom, the folks at Huckins expect the boat to run a little bit faster.

From Time Magazine Archive

“I’m almost like a prop. That is a picture of that little boy.”

From Washington Post ● Mar. 2, 2023

“You are very well aware of the rules tonight. And you have a prop. That is not allowed, sir. I ask you to put that prop away,” the moderator said, after a testy exchange.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 15, 2022

Mr. Walker replied, “Well, it’s not a prop. This is real.”

From New York Times ● Oct. 14, 2022

“First of all, we cannot use Bibles as a prop. And for those that have agendas that are not about justice, this family will not let you use George as a prop,” said Mr. Sharpton.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 4, 2020

"Kasr," prop. a palace: so the Tuscan peasant speaks of his "palazzo."

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 06 by Sir Richard Francis Burton

They posed in front of props such as a hot-air balloon, an upright piano or a staircase going to nowhere.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

And props are improvised so that pool noodles are used for jousting and an earbud case serves as an engagement ring.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026

Look to director Christopher Nolan, and his obsession with bringing spectacle to life with real props, real scenes.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

Martin James lives in a flat with 32 life-sized props, inspired by American film but also "anything unusual"

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

Connor and I looked around at the stacks of boxes, the piles of junk, the shelves stuffed with old books and papers and props.

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling

Alistair, who was in third at the time, propped Jonny up for the final 700m and helped him over the line.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

Years of strong gains for the so-called Magnificent Seven and other technology names have quietly propped up Americans’ spending and the U.S. economy in general.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026

Zemian, who had also been uncuffed, started digging through the SUV, collecting spare tactical vests, then propped them underneath the agent’s head.

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026

Earnings quadrupled on paper, but an analyst says that performance was propped up by unrealized gains from equity investments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

She has her hand propped on her hip and is very huffy.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

These private-label products, which are generally cheaper than national brands like Tide and Doritos, have made it easier for consumers to keep spending as prices for basics rise, propping up economic growth.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

One side of the terraced row of houses on Llewellyn Street was demolished and replaced by the motorway, leaving the remaining side staring at either a huge concrete embankment or pillars propping up the M4.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

Artificial intelligence has been “the one thing” propping up the economy and global markets, according to Apollo Global Management.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026

Displaying them overhead or enshrined on pedestals, as at MoMA, is more dramatic and less ambiguous than propping them against gallery walls.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026

One cocky-looking guy on a glossy black bat actually lay in a reclining position, propping up his head with one hand.

From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• brace