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
Definition for stand by (2 of 2)
Origin of stand
before 900; Middle English
standen (v.), Old English
standan; cognate with Old Saxon
standan, Middle Dutch
standen, Old High German
stantan, standa, standan; akin to Latin
stāre to stand,
sistere, Greek
histánai to make stand, Sanskrit
sthā to stand, Old Irish
at-tá (he) is
synonym study for stand
25. See
bear1.
British Dictionary definitions for stand by (1 of 2)
stand by
verb
noun stand-by
- a person or thing that is ready for use or can be relied on in an emergency
- (as modifier)stand-by provisions
on stand-by
in a state of readiness for action or use
adjective
(of an airline passenger, fare, or seat) not booked in advance but awaiting or subject to availability
British Dictionary definitions for stand by (2 of 2)
stand
/ (stænd) /
verb stands, standing or stood (mainly intr)
noun
Derived forms of stand
stander, nounWord Origin for stand
Old English
standan; related to Old Norse
standa, Old High German
stantan, Latin
stāre to stand; see
stead
Idioms and Phrases with stand by (1 of 2)
stand by
Be ready or available to act, as in I'm almost ready for you to carve the turkey, so please stand by. [Mid-1200s]
Wait for something to resume, as in We are all standing by until the power is restored. Also see on standby.
Be present but remain uninvolved, refrain from acting, as in I can't stand by and see these kids shoplifting. [Late 1300s]
Remain loyal, as in She's my friend and I'll stand by her, no matter what. [Early 1500s] Also see stick by.
Adhere to, abide by, as in I'm going to stand by what I said yesterday. [Late 1300s]
Idioms and Phrases with stand by (2 of 2)
stand