Etymology From Middle English proppe (“a prop, support, support for a vine or plant”), from Middle Dutch proppe (“support, support for a vine, stopper for a bottle”). Compare Middle Low German proppe (“plug, stopper”), German Pfropfen (“plug”), Danish prop (“plug, stopper”).
1
An object placed against or under another, to support it; anything that supports.
They stuck a block of wood under it as a prop.
2
Ball games, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Rugby, Sports The player on either side of the hooker in a scrum.
Etymology From Middle English proppe (“a prop, support, support for a vine or plant”), from Middle Dutch proppe (“support, support for a vine, stopper for a bottle”). Compare Middle Low German proppe (“plug, stopper”), German Pfropfen (“plug”), Danish prop (“plug, stopper”).
1
Figuratively, Sometimes To support or shore up something.
Try using a phone book to prop up the table where the foot is missing.
2
To play rugby in the prop position.
3
Usually To position the feet of (a person) while sitting, lying down, or reclining so that the knees are elevated at a higher level.
With "up" - see prop up
4
Australia, New Zealand To stop suddenly or unexpectedly; derived from the situation where a horse might suddenly halt of its own accord, digging its front hooves into the ground to brace itself from forward movement, potentially unseating its rider.
We used to go out into the roads (highway robbery) between races, and if we met an ‘old bloke’ (man) we ‘propped him’ (knocked him down), and robbed him.1851, Henry Mayhew, London Labour and the London Poor, published 1861:
An item placed within an advertisement in order to suggest a style of living etc.
You can use props in a literal way to enhance the story, such as shooting a woodworker amidst woodworking tools.2006, Michael Grecco, Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait, Amphoto Books, →ISBN, page 109:
To manually start the engine of a propeller-driven aircraft with no electric starter by pulling vigorously on one of the propeller blades using the hands, so that the propeller can catch ignition.
John Aubrey Douglass, a senior research fellow at the Center for Studies in Higher Education at Berkeley, said that while he was not an insider on admissions practices, “my sense is that admissions is highly regulated and careful to stay clear of Prop 209 restrictions, and the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action.”2025 February 3, Anemona Hartocollis, “The University of California Increased Diversity. Now It’s Being Sued.”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 04 Feb 2025:
“Watch how totally dishonest the California Prop vote is!” Trump fumed on Truth Social over the weekend.2025 October 27, Russell Berman, quoting Donald Trump, “‘California Is Allowed to Hit Back’”, in The Atlantic, archived from the original on 04 Nov 2025:
Derived terms
Prop H8
prop
noun
Etymology Clipping of propagation.
1
Internet A part of a plant reared for its multiplication.