buoy

1 of 2

noun

ˈbü-ē  ˈbȯi 

1

: float sense 2

especially, nautical : a floating object moored to the bottom to mark a channel or something (such as a shoal) lying under the water

swam out toward the buoy

2

: life buoy

Illustration of buoy

• buoy 1

buoy

2 of 2

verb

buoyed; buoying; buoys

transitive verb

1

: to mark by or as if by a float or buoy

buoy an anchor

2

a

: to keep afloat

a raft buoyed by empty oil drums

b

: support, uplift

an economy buoyed by the dramatic postwar growth of industry

—Time

3

: to raise the spirits of

—usually used with up

hope buoys him up

intransitive verb

: float

—usually used with up

They buoyed up like a cork.

Examples of buoy in a Sentence

Verb

The tax breaks should help to buoy the economy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory is working on the next generation of offshore buoys. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 24 June 2025

At noon Saturday, the wind blew at just 7 mph, with gusts of 11 mph, at one buoy near the center of Lake Tahoe. —Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025

Verb

On the lighter side, rewrite your understanding of the tart Cosmopolitan with the Chateau Marmont, buoyed with St-Germain, green Chartreuse and hibiscus, which add body where the traditional vodka-cran-triple-sec recipe does not. —Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 June 2025

Still, buoyed by the housing market, Irvine finds itself in a strong enough position to add staffing next fiscal year. —Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 26 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English boye, probably from Middle Dutch boeye; akin to Old High German bouhhan sign — more at beacon

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing buoy

• bell buoy
• breeches buoy
• life buoy

Rhymes for buoy

• chewy
• dewy
• gooey
• ennui

Kids Definition

buoy

1 of 2 noun

ˈbü-ē  ˈbȯi 

1

: a floating object anchored in a body of water to mark a channel or warn of danger

2

: life buoy

buoy

2 of 2 verb

1

: to keep from sinking : keep afloat

2

: to brighten the mood of

the news buoyed him up