1. barriers or screens behind home plate in baseball to stop balls
Usage: sports
2. people or things that provide support or serve as a last resort

1. provides support or serves as a final guarantee for something

Examples

• The new backstops at the baseball field prevent foul balls from hitting spectators.
• Parents often serve as financial backstops for their adult children.
• The government backstops the banking system during financial crises.
• Insurance policies act as backstops against unexpected losses.
• The company backstops its employees’ retirement plans.
• Emergency funds serve as backstops when regular income fails.