standby
or stand-by
[ stand-bahy ]
/ ˈstændˌbaɪ /
noun, plural stand·bys.
a staunch supporter or adherent; one who can be relied upon.
something upon which one can rely and therefore choose or use regularly.
something or someone held ready to serve as a substitute, especially a radio or television program used as a filler in case of cancellation of a regularly scheduled program.
a traveler who is waiting for last-minute accommodations to become available on a plane, train, or other transport as a result of a cancellation.
adjective
Idioms for standby
on standby,
in a state of readiness to act, respond, or be used immediately when needed.
Origin of standby
First recorded in 1790–1800; noun, adj. use of verb phrase
stand by
Words nearby standby
standard-bred,
standardbred,
standardization,
standardize,
standaway,
standby,
standee,
standfast,
standfirst,
standing,
standing army
Idioms and Phrases with on standby
on standby
Ready and waiting, as in We've got three more painters on standby. This expression originated in the navy in the 1940s, where it referred to someone being ready to come on duty as soon as required. From about 1960 it began to be widely used in aviation for a passenger waiting to take the first available seat on a full flight.