backstops
|back-stops|
🇺🇸
/ˈbæk.stɑps/
🇬🇧
/ˈbæk.stɒps/
(backstop)
final safeguard / safety net
Etymology
'backstop' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'back' + 'stop' (a combination meaning something that stops or protects at the back).
'backstop' was first used in the late 19th century in baseball to refer to the barrier or screen behind home plate; the term later broadened into general use for any safeguard or final support.
Initially, it referred specifically to the physical barrier behind a baseball catcher; over time it evolved to mean a figurative last line of defense or guarantee.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
physical barrier or protective screen placed behind something (originally the barrier behind home plate in baseball).
The stadium installed new backstops to protect spectators from foul balls; the backstops reduced injuries.
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Noun 2
a person, system, or arrangement that provides final support or prevents failure — a last line of defense or guarantee.
The government provided several backstops to stabilize the market; those backstops reassured investors.
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Verb 1
third-person singular present of 'backstop': to act as a backstop; to provide support, protection, or a guarantee against failure.
The central bank backstops troubled banks when necessary.
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Last updated: 2025/12/27 19:48