propped; propping. 1. a. : to hold up or keep from falling or slipping by placing a support under or against.

/prɑːp/ -pp- to lift and give support to something by putting something under it: He was sitting upright in his hospital bed, propped up by pillows. There were the usual bunch of drinkers propped up at (= leaning against) the bar.

A prop is something you use as a support, like a broom that serves as a prop to hold a door open. A prop is also something that goes on stage, like a garbage can in a Beckett play.

to support something by putting something else under or against it: She propped the door open with a footstool.