prop
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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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.
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to rest (a thing) against a support.
He propped his cane against the wall.
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to support or sustain (often followed byup ).
noun
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a stick, rod, pole, beam, or other rigid support.
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a person or thing serving as a support or stay.
His father is his financial prop.
noun
noun
abbreviation
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properly.
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property.
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proposition.
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proprietary.
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proprietor.
verb
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(tr) to support with a rigid object, such as a stick
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to place or lean
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(tr) to sustain or support
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(intr) to stop suddenly or unexpectedly
noun
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something that gives rigid support, such as a stick
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a person or thing giving support, as of a moral or spiritual nature
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rugby either of the forwards at either end of the front row of a scrum
noun
noun
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
- propless adjective
- unpropped adjective
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While Wolves are not mathematically down yet, they are propping up the table on a meagre eight points from 25 matches and sports analytics and data experts Opta rank their chances of relegation as 99.99%.
From BBC
He had his shoes and socks off, and his big bare feet were propped on the arm of the couch.
From Literature
The yen had weakened sharply this year, too—until the U.S. and Japanese authorities signaled their willingness to prop up the currency.
Few sides in the world could cope with losing three players in one position, especially one as specialised as loose-head prop.
From BBC
Suddenly, the Irish tails were up and replacement prop Michael Milne burrowed over.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
