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
Luke Barr, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Republican National Committee Co-Chairwoman Lara Trump said in a statement on Election Day eve that the RNC has enlisted 500 lawyers who are on standby to handle any allegations of voter fraud, which has long been a focus for the GOP.
—Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
While many polling jurisdictions across the country are well-positioned to meet their staffing needs, there are still hundreds more that could use your help to fill last-minute recruitment gaps or deepen their standby pool of poll workers trained and ready for deployment.
—Carolina Lopez, Twin Cities, 3 Nov. 2024
Karla Walsh, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2024
Southwest Airlines: Travelers with Southwest flights scheduled to, through and from Cancun (CUN) through Sept. 25 may rebook travel or fly standby for free within 14 days of their original travel dates.
—Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024
Maggie Horton, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Both parties, of course, ultimately stood by their call, and they were vindicated in the end, but according to executives and on-air talent at multiple TV networks that spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, the lessons of that call are still being felt.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
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Noun
As of Tuesday morning, 252 National Guard members were activated in 15 states, and another 87 were on standby in three states and Washington, D.C.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Republican National Committee Co-Chairwoman Lara Trump said in a statement on Election Day eve that the RNC has enlisted 500 lawyers who are on standby to handle any allegations of voter fraud, which has long been a focus for the GOP.
—Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The company has off-balance sheet commitments totaling $1.4 billion, primarily in unused lines of credit and standby letters of credit.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
While many polling jurisdictions across the country are well-positioned to meet their staffing needs, there are still hundreds more that could use your help to fill last-minute recruitment gaps or deepen their standby pool of poll workers trained and ready for deployment.
—Carolina Lopez, Twin Cities, 3 Nov. 2024
Adverb
But for the approximately 750,000 Americans who have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), being away from home—and a familiar bathroom—often feels riskier than flying standby.
—Karla Walsh, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2024
Southwest Airlines: Travelers with Southwest flights scheduled to, through and from Cancun (CUN) through Sept. 25 may rebook travel or fly standby for free within 14 days of their original travel dates.
—Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024
Verb
The New Lego Flowers Kit Is a Christmas-Ready Poinsettia Pot That Doubles as Holiday Decor
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Le Creuset’s signature Dutch ovens are an investment that many home cooks stand by.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Both parties, of course, ultimately stood by their call, and they were vindicated in the end, but according to executives and on-air talent at multiple TV networks that spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, the lessons of that call are still being felt.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for standby
Dictionary Entries Near standby
Cite this Entry
“Standby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standby. Accessed 28 Nov. 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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