I. prop 1 /prɒp $ prɑːp/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle propped , present participle propping ) [transitive always + adverb/preposition]
to support something by leaning it against something, or by putting something else under, next to, or behind it
prop something against/on something
He propped his bike against a tree.
Can we prop the window open with something?
prop something ↔ up phrasal verb
1 . to prevent something from falling by putting something against it or under it:
The builders are trying to prop up the crumbling walls of the church.
prop something ↔ up against
paintings propped up against the wall
2 . to help an ↑ economy , industry, or government so that it can continue to exist, especially by giving money:
The government introduced measures to prop up the stock market.
3 . prop yourself up to hold your body up by leaning against something
prop yourself up on/against/with
She propped herself up on one elbow.
II. prop 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Sense 1,3,5: Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Middle Dutch ; Origin: proppe ]
[ Sense 2: Date: 1800-1900 ; Origin: property ]
[ Sense 4: Date: 1900-2000 ; Origin: propeller ]
1 . an object placed under or against something to hold it in a particular position
2 . [usually plural] a small object such as a book, weapon etc, used by actors in a play or film:
Anna looks after costumes and props.
stage props
3 . something or someone that helps you to feel strong:
She was becoming an emotional prop for him.
4 . informal a ↑ propeller
5 . ( also prop forward ) one of the players in a ↑ rugby team, who is large and strong and holds up the ↑ scrum