standby

1 of 4

noun

stand·​by ˈstan(d)-ˌbī 

plural standbys ˈstan(d)-ˌbīz 

1

a

: one to be relied on especially in emergencies

b

: a favorite or reliable choice or resource

2

: one that is held in reserve ready for use : substitute

standby

2 of 4

adjective

1

: held near at hand and ready for use

a standby power plant

standby equipment

2

: relating to the act or condition of standing by

standby duty

a standby period

3

: of, relating to, or traveling by an airline service in which the passenger must wait for an available unreserved seat

standby passengers

a standby ticket

standby

3 of 4

adverb

: on a standby basis

fly standby

stand by

4 of 4

verb

stood by; standing by; stands by

intransitive verb

1

: to be present

also : to remain apart or aloof

2

: to be or to get ready to act

an ambulance was standing by

transitive verb

: to remain loyal or faithful to : defend

stood by his decision

Phrases

on standby

: ready or available for immediate action or use

Synonyms

Noun

• anchor
• buttress
• dependence
• dependance
• mainstay
• pillar
• reliance

Verb

• adhere (to)
• cling (to)
• hew (to)
• keep (to)
• stick (to or with)

Examples of standby in a Sentence

Noun

More police officers were sent as standbys.

We bought an electric generator as a standby.

Verb

no matter how much people object, I will stand by my decision

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Tap it to launch the camera instantly from standby, press again to take a shot. —David Phelan, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

All About the Late TikToker Known for Her Celebrity Gossip Videos As is typical of a popular race event, medics were on standby and rushed to Graves immediately. —Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024

Adjective

Some key features include cameras that are in a standby state, ready to record. —Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Sep. 2024

The other option is to join the standby line outside the panda enclosure any time from 9:30 a.m. until giant pandas are off habitat or the zoo closes, whichever occurs earlier, the zoo says. —Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2024

Adverb

The new policy was announced Sunday, along with another significant change – United travelers can now fly standby for free on flights departing the day of their travel. —Susan Glaser, cleveland, 31 Aug. 2020

Silver status grants access to the Priority Reservations Waitlist (a waitlist to get a seat in a higher class) and gives travelers higher priority when flying standby. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2023

Verb

His brother, Roger Albino, was interrogated several times by investigators but stood by his story about a woman with a bandana around her head taking his brother. —CBS News, 23 Sep. 2024

This concert managed the unlikely trick of digging deeper into their most celebrated albums while also standing by their new material. —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1971, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing standby

• on standby

Kids Definition

standby

1 of 4 noun

stand·​by ˈstan(d)-ˌbī 

plural standbys -ˌbīz 

: one available or to be relied on especially in emergencies

standby

2 of 4 adjective

1

: held near at hand and ready for use

standby equipment

2

: relating to the act of standing by

a standby period

3

: of or relating to a mode of transportation (as airline service) in which the passengers must wait for an available unreserved spot

a standby ticket

standby

3 of 4 adverb

: as a standby passenger

flying standby

stand by

4 of 4 verb

(ˈ)stan(d)-ˈbī

1

: to be present

stood by, watching the game

2

: to be or to get ready to act

ambulances are standing by

3

: to remain loyal or faithful

stood by us to the end

stood by his decision