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Definition of backstop noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

backstop

noun
 
/ˈbækstɒp/
 
/ˈbækstɑːp/
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  1. (sport) a fence or screen used to stop balls from going outside the playing area
    • Some of his pitches hit the backstop.
    Topics Sports: ball and racket sportsc2
  2. (sport) (in rounders or baseball) the player who stands behind the person who is batting and catches the ball if that person does not hit it compare catcher (1)Topics Sports: ball and racket sportsc2
  3. something that is done or prepared in advance in order to prevent worse problems if something goes wrong
    • The country needs a financial backstop to deal with bank failures.
See backstop in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
previously
adverb
 
 
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