diff --git a/src/release/backporting.md b/src/release/backporting.md
index d71cb6ae..804cde9b 100644
--- a/src/release/backporting.md
+++ b/src/release/backporting.md
@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 # Backporting
 
+> ## What is a backport?
+
+> A **backport** is the act of taking a fix or feature that landed in a newer Rust release
+> (or any software) and re-applying it to an older supported branch. This is most often used
+> to ship critical bug-fixes or security patches on channels (like Stable or Beta)
+> that no longer receive every upstream change.
+
 There's a steady trickle of patches that need to be ported to the beta and stable branch.
 Only a few people are even aware of the process, but this is actually something anybody can do.