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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

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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

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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

"Bald eagles are widely recognised as symbols of freedom. They deserve better than to be used as an entertainment prop to amuse the Eagles' fans."

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

Luke Thompson will continue at prop with Morgan Knowles still not fit to play after picking up an injury before the Tonga game.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

The state tried to prop up the railway, but in 1998, federal officials ordered it closed over safety concerns.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026

But the president has never had to confront a prop that has stopped cooperating.

From Salon ● Oct. 6, 2026

For the moment nothing, but to prop himself against the unmoving stone and listen, listen to the vile orc-voices.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

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

AS. blondenÏfeax grayÏhaired, old, prop. blendedÏhaired, as a mixture of white and brown or black.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Noah Webster

This year's team will install beams and props to help the buildings withstand increased precipitation and snow loading, as well as monitor the penguins.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

She said a lot of the props have "a personal touch" too, from her mum's ironing board to her granny's lampshade in the living room.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

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

Crawford also has to touch up the paint on the props from time to time, due to effects of the fire.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

The trunk is in a tent, surrounded by rack after rack of vibrant costumes, props, and vanities with mirrors.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

The most vulnerable to the shock, the IMF has said, are low-income oil-importing countries that are not exposed to the boom in AI investment that has propped up growth in many advanced economies.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

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

Amid explosive demand for Novo’s drugs, the company grew so much it propped up Denmark’s entire economy.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 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

Sadako propped herself up against the pillows and tried to eat.

From "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr

Only Ararat-Armenia and their inferior goal difference keeps the Scottish champions from propping up the table.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026

She said support from all over Ireland was "propping up our community right now; we have never seen support and solidarity like it".

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Bonfig has outlined a number of plans aimed at propping up Best Buy’s business, like new medium- and small-format locations, a broader assortment and a focus on the company’s advertising business.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 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

When I come back around to the little concrete house beside the lake, I pause in the doorway and see Gale propping the crooked poker he salvaged against the wall by the hearth.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

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