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.

/prɑːp/ -pp- to support something physically, often by leaning it against something else or putting something under it: I propped my bike (up) against the wall. She was sitting at the desk with her chin propped on her hands.

'Prop' is the short form of proprietary. Prop shops employ a number of trading strategies for assets that range from simple liquid assets such as stocks and bonds to sophisticated instruments such as collateralized debt obligations (CDO), derivatives, and commodity futures.

They include staffs, food, weapons, lanterns and candles, canes, staffs, parasols, and practically anything else an actor could or might pick up. Personal props are props worn or carried by a particular actor and issued to him rather than stored on the prop table. Set props include most obviously furniture.