prop
A prop is an object used to help create or support something, especially in theater, film, or photography. You might see a fake wall or a mannequin that's a prop.
In everyday life and creative projects, people use props all the time to make things more interesting or believable. For example, you could be making a movie at home with friends – one person is acting as a police officer and needs a real badge to look convincing, so they borrow a fake one from the costume box that's also used for plays or Halloween costumes. In theater, actors often use props to enhance their characters' personalities or to make scenes more realistic. If you're taking photos of a product or service, like a car or a restaurant, you might see props like flowers or decorative objects in the background to create a nice atmosphere.
How common is "prop"?
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.
noun
An object placed against or under another, to support it; anything that supports.
Example: They stuck a block of wood under it as a prop.
verb
(sometimes figurative) To support or shore up something.
Example: Try using a phone book to prop up the table where the foot is missing.
Real examples of "props" in context
