Library / English Dictionary

BACKSTOP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A precaution in case of an emergency

Example:

he acted as a backstop in case anything went wrong

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("backstop" is a kind of...):

guard; precaution; safeguard (a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(baseball) a fence or screen (as behind home plate) to prevent the ball from traveling out of the playing field

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("backstop" is a kind of...):

fence; fencing (a barrier that serves to enclose an area)

Domain category:

ball; baseball; baseball game (a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs)

Derivation:

backstop (act as a backstop)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(baseball) the person who plays the position of catcher

Synonyms:

backstop; catcher

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("backstop" is a kind of...):

infielder ((baseball) a person who plays a position in the infield)

Domain category:

ball; baseball; baseball game (a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs)

softball; softball game (a game closely resembling baseball that is played on a smaller diamond and with a ball that is larger and softer)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Act as a backstop

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "backstop" is one way to...):

play (participate in games or sport)

Domain category:

ball; baseball; baseball game (a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

backstop ((baseball) a fence or screen (as behind home plate) to prevent the ball from traveling out of the playing field)

Credits