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
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
: on a standby basis
fly standby
stood by; standing by; stands by
1
: to be present
also
: to remain apart or aloof
2
: to be or to get ready to act
an ambulance was standing by
: to remain loyal or faithful to : defend
stood by his decision
Synonyms
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
Doc Louallen, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2024
The device's 4,100-mAh Li-ion battery will get you around a week of use (based on usage of 2 hours per day) or a month on standby.
—New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2024
Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 8 Aug. 2024
Disney says there won't be a standby queue available at this time.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 26 July 2024
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
Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 15 Aug. 2024
Once again, Ellison is determined to stand by his man.
—Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for standby 
Noun
The park's dedicated search and rescue team, made up of 70 volunteers, is always on standby to swiftly mobilize to hikers in distress -- often due to heat exhaustion or physical fatigue.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2024
The device's 4,100-mAh Li-ion battery will get you around a week of use (based on usage of 2 hours per day) or a month on standby.
—New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2024
Adjective
More than 700 Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel have been deployed to the Southeast, and search and rescue teams are on standby to assist as needed, the agency said Wednesday.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 8 Aug. 2024
Disney says there won't be a standby queue available at this time.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 26 July 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
Sylvie refuses to speak to the reporter, standing by her husband, Laurent G, as JVMA is investing in his club.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 15 Aug. 2024
Once again, Ellison is determined to stand by his man.
—Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for standby
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'standby.' 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 standby
Cite this Entry
“Standby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standby. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 adjective1
: 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
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