Dictionary

1backstop

noun back·stop \-ˌstäp\

baseball : a fence or screen that is placed behind the catcher to prevent the ball from rolling away

: something that is kept so that it can be used if it is needed

Full Definition of BACKSTOP

1
:  something at the back serving as a stop: as
a :  a screen or fence for keeping a ball from leaving the field of play
b :  a stop (as a pawl) that prevents a backward movement (as of a wheel)
2
:  a player (as the catcher) positioned behind the batter
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First Known Use of BACKSTOP

1851

2backstop

verb

Definition of BACKSTOP

transitive verb
2
:  to serve as a backstop to
3
:  to play the position of goalkeeper for <backstop a hockey team>

First Known Use of BACKSTOP

1941
BACKSTOP Defined for Kids

backstop

noun back·stop \ˈbak-ˌstäp\

Definition of BACKSTOP for Kids

:  a fence behind the catcher to keep a baseball from rolling away

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