Definition of BACKSTOP

backstop

Plural: backstops

Noun

  • (baseball) the person who plays the position of catcher
  • (baseball) a fence or screen (as behind home plate) to prevent the ball from traveling out of the playing field
  • a precaution in case of an emergency
    • "he acted as a backstop in case anything went wrong"
  • An object or a person put in the rear or in the back of something to reinforce, hold, support.
  • A default arrangement that holds if all else fails.
  • A wall or fence behind home plate.
  • A catcher; the position of catcher.
  • The player who stands immediately behind the striking base.
  • The longstop.
  • The wicket-keeper.
  • Something serving to bolster or support a cover story etc.

Verb

Verb Forms: backstopped, backstopping, backstops

  • To provide support or reinforcement in case of failure.
  • act as a backstop
  • To serve as backstop for.
  • To bolster, support.

Examples

  • He used ’CAT’ to backstop his setup for a future bingo play.

Origin / Etymology

From back + stop.

Synonyms

catcher

Scrabble Score: 18

backstop: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
backstop: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
backstop: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 21

backstop: valid Words With Friends Word