a strip, panel, or layer of tile, stone, or other material fixed to the wall behind a sink, countertop, or stove to stop water, grease, or food from staining the surface
We chose a bright blue backsplash to make our white kitchen pop.
The contractor installed the marble backsplash in just one afternoon.
✦ back + splash, referring to material that blocks splashes on the wall
liquid or small pieces of material that splash back toward someone or something after hitting a surface
He poured the coffee too quickly and felt hot backsplash on his hand.
Wear goggles to avoid chemical backsplash in the lab.
✦ from splash + back, describing the motion of liquid reversing direction
