prop

1 of 6

noun (1)

ˈpräp 

: 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 literate …

—John Powers

prop

4 of 6

noun (3)

: propeller

prop

5 of 6

abbreviation

1

property

2

proposition

3

proprietor

prop-

6 of 6

combining form

: related to propionic acid

propane

propyl

Synonyms of prop

Noun (1)

• support
• shore
• brace
• mount
• pillar
• reinforcement
• mounting

Verb

• carry
• sustain
• support
• shore (up)
• stay
• bolster

Examples of prop in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a prop kept the porch of the dilapidated house from collapsing

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

Noun

Riders can also spot new gold props and other easter eggs along the track. —Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 4 May 2026

One brought her knitting, and most carried some sort of prop — a cane, a book, satchels like those carried by people who made Philadelphia their home in the 1700s. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 4 May 2026

Verb

To avoid straining, and therefore hemorrhoids, people can prop their feet up on stools or even stacks of old magazines to create more of a squatting position than sitting on toilets typically creates, Qureshi said. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026

The Eagles hope this cycle helps prop their Super Bowl window open as much as the five-player 2022 class did. —Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing prop

• prop forward
• prop root
• prop up

Rhymes for prop

• bop
• chop
• cop
• crop
• drop
• flop
• fop
• hop
• knop
• lop
• mop
• op

Kids Definition

prop

1 of 4 noun

ˈpräp 

: 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

: property sense 4

prop

4 of 4 noun

: propeller