back·stop
ˈbak-ˌstäp 
plural backstops
1
: something at the back serving as a stop: such as
a
: a screen or fence for keeping a ball from leaving the field of play
b
: a stop (such as a pawl) that prevents a backward movement (as of a wheel)
2
: a player (such as the catcher) positioned behind the batter
3
: something or someone that provides dependable support or protection against failure or loss
As the cold war heated up, Hoover became the country's backstop against subversion.—
David M. Oshinsky
David M. Oshinsky
backstopped; backstopping; backstops
2
: to serve as a backstop to
3
: to play the position of goalkeeper for
backstop a hockey team
Examples of backstop in a Sentence
Noun
The pitch got past the catcher and rolled all the way to the backstop.
kept some gold as a backstop in case the value of the local currency collapsed
Verb
the Nobel-winning geneticist was of course backstopped in his research by a team of highly talented assistants
Recent Examples on the Web
Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 25 Oct. 2024
While some Democrats have proposed legislation that would create a federal backstop for these failing insurance markets — with the goal of ensuring that coverage remains available for most homeowners — these proposals have yet to make much headway in a divided Congress.
—Vox Staff, Vox, 24 Oct. 2024
Norbert Röttgen, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2024
Under my system, the United States would still backstop the continent’s security by providing a nuclear umbrella and deploying its naval resources.
—Sumantra Maitra, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for backstop 
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Noun
The Yankees disclose annual ticket sales because the money is a backstop supporting the bonds that were used to build the current Bronx stadium.
—Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 25 Oct. 2024
While some Democrats have proposed legislation that would create a federal backstop for these failing insurance markets — with the goal of ensuring that coverage remains available for most homeowners — these proposals have yet to make much headway in a divided Congress.
—Vox Staff, Vox, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
In the medium to long term, the EU will need to overhaul its defense capabilities and industry if Europe is to meaningfully backstop its own security.
—Norbert Röttgen, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2024
Under my system, the United States would still backstop the continent’s security by providing a nuclear umbrella and deploying its naval resources.
—Sumantra Maitra, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for backstop
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Cite this Entry
“Backstop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstop. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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