at bay
idiom
: in the position of being unable to move closer while attacking or trying to approach someone
—used with keep or hold
The soldiers kept the attackers at bay.
—often used figurativelyThe doctors have been able to keep her illness at bay for several months.
Examples of at bay in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Plant around tomatoes and squash to keep squirrels at bay.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2024
Industrialists saw isolationism as an extension of protectionism—keeping imports, rather than migrants, at bay.
—Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2024
The body of the shoes are made from sugarcane EVA, which is both sustainable and water-repellent, and cushioning at the heel straps keeps chafing at bay, even upon first wear.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2024
In the ocean food chain, large sharks generally only have to worry about keeping orcas at bay — but a new study suggests the apex predators may have to watch out for their own.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for at bay 
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2024
Industrialists saw isolationism as an extension of protectionism—keeping imports, rather than migrants, at bay.
—Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2024
The body of the shoes are made from sugarcane EVA, which is both sustainable and water-repellent, and cushioning at the heel straps keeps chafing at bay, even upon first wear.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2024
In the ocean food chain, large sharks generally only have to worry about keeping orcas at bay — but a new study suggests the apex predators may have to watch out for their own.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for at bay
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at bay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near at bay
Cite this Entry
“At bay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20bay. Accessed 24 Sep. 2024.
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