standby

or stand-by

[ stand-bahy ]

/ ˈstændˌbaɪ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR standby ON THESAURUS.COM

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

kept readily available for use in an emergency, shortage, or the like: a standby player.

of or relating to last-minute accommodations, the transport that offers them, or a traveler who is waiting for them: a standby flight.

of or relating to a waiting period.

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

Example sentences from the Web for standby

That's why medical teams, replete with Life Flight helicopters, are always on standby at tour events.

The World Series of Cliff Diving Takes Itself Very Seriously |Hampton Stevens |June 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Daniel Schachner, the actor playing the referee for Puppy Bowl X, waits on standby to help out on the field.

‘The Puppy Bowl’: The Super Bowl’s Fiercest Rival |Lori-Lee Emshey |February 2, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Ballard had Lottie Jackson and the ambulance crew “on standby,” in case the jury wanted them.

The Strange and Mysterious Death of Mrs. Jerry Lee Lewis |Richard Ben Cramer |January 11, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
So while the Republican race is in full throttle, the Democrats are left in standby mode.

Democratic Presidential Contenders Stay in the Shadows |David Catanese |May 26, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

They would rather you not think of devices in standby mode and would rather make that extension cord as invisible as possible.

The Internet Won’t Save Us: Evgeny Morozov’s Stand Against Technology Solutionism |Robert Herritt |March 5, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Irish potatoes are expensive, as most of this standby is imported.

Seven Legs Across the Seas |Samuel Murray
It became notable that Betsy's standby light took up new tempos in its wavering.

The Machine That Saved The World |William Fitzgerald Jenkins
A standby pattern lighted the screen, and I stared at it numbly.

Backlash |Winston Marks
Nuts are there as the standby, the backbone of the meal, and after come blackberries, as pudding or dessert.

What Shall We Do Now?: Five Hundred Games and Pastimes |Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Then a cushioned silence everywhere, save for the faint, standby scratching sounds that loudspeakers always emit.

Talents, Incorporated |William Fitzgerald Jenkins

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

standby

or stand-by

noun, plural stand·bys.

adjective

Idioms for standby

Origin of standby

Words nearby standby

Example sentences from the Web for standby

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

standby

or stand-by

noun, plural stand·bys.

adjective

Idioms for standby

Origin of standby

Words nearby standby

Words related to standby

Example sentences from the Web for standby