prop

1 of 6

noun (1)

: something that props or sustains : support

prop

2 of 6

verb

propped; propping

transitive verb

1
a
: to support by placing something under or against
often used with up
b
: to support by placing against something
2
: sustain, strengthen
often used with up
a government propped up by the military

prop

3 of 6

noun (2)

1
: property sense 3
stage props
2
: something used in creating or enhancing a desired effect
buy books … as cultural props because they want to appear literateJohn Powers

prop

4 of 6

noun (3)

prop

5 of 6

abbreviation

prop-

6 of 6

combining form

: related to propionic acid
propane
propyl

Examples of prop in a Sentence

Verb She propped the rake against a tree. We propped the shed's roof with poles. The window was propped open.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
On top of that, the federal money that poured into the sector to prop it up during Covid is starting to run out, which could usher in a string of defaults. Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 25 Feb. 2024 This may involve propping yourself up with pillows to reduce pressure on the neck, or side-sleeping to improve circulation. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 Detectives also found that the gate for a five-foot-tall fence that surrounded the pool had been propped open. Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2024 There were groans and cries, and some patients propped themselves uncomfortably on benches, waiting to be treated. Jeffrey Moyo, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024 Julia propped herself up on her elbow, facing Hendrickson. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 6 Feb. 2024 Inside the lobby of the beachy chic 18-room Sense Beach House on 4th and Ocean, a pair of stand-up paddleboards are propped against a wall, free for guests to grab and lug across the street for an impromptu ocean paddle. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 At the tender age of 4, my arms were covered with lace gloves draping over my legs, propped for a camera. Laila Annmarie Stevens, Parents, 15 Jan. 2024 Mark Kelly Give the president’s son props for theater. William McGurn, WSJ, 8 Jan. 2024
Noun
Early in her career, Erin worked as a prop stylist, production designer, and professional organizer while simultaneously freelance writing about DIY and interior design trends for several lifestyle sites. Erin Johnson, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Gutierrez-Reed, 24, served as the weapons supervisor for the production that saw cinematographer Halyna Hutchins killed and director Joel Souza wounded on Oct. 21, 2021, when a gun being wielded as a prop by Baldwin discharged a live round. EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 There was less thought given to props in that era of moviemaking, and storage space always remained an issue. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024 Buttons and pins double as props, as Moghaddam makes the case that one’s choice in clothes is a vital means of expression, the limiting of which amounts to oppression. Peter Debruge, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024 Minogue thanked everyone who had been along for her career trajectory and also gave props to those who came after her. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2024 Heritage obtained Eric’s ball of choice from the movie’s producer Bradley Thomas following its use in Kingpin; the prop has scuff marks and light chipping as a result. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024 The process of choosing pieces, many featuring numerous elements — masks, clothing, drawings, headdresses, books, props — from so enduring and varied a career was a yearslong endeavor for the museum, a puzzle that needed solving by both Jonas and the show’s curator alike. Susan Dominus Emiliano Granado, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Bowles continued his opening statement by saying that Gutierrez-Reed was hired to do two jobs, both armorer and prop assistant. Chloe Melas, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English proppe, from Middle Dutch, stopper; akin to Middle Low German proppe stopper

Combining form

International Scientific Vocabulary, from propionic (acid)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1507, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prop was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near prop

Cite this Entry

“Prop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prop. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

prop

1 of 4 noun
: something that props or supports

prop

2 of 4 verb
propped; propping
1
a
: to hold up or keep from falling or slipping by placing a support under or against
prop up a broken chair
b
: to support by placing against something
propped the rake against a tree
2
: to give help, encouragement, or support to
propped up by his faith in times of crisis

prop

3 of 4 noun

prop

4 of 4 noun

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