buoy

1 of 2

noun

ˈbü-ē  ˈbȯi 

1

: float sense 2

especially, nautical : a floating object moored to the bottom to mark a channel or something (such as a shoal) lying under the water

swam out toward the buoy

2

: life buoy

Illustration of buoy

• buoy 1

buoy

2 of 2

verb

buoyed; buoying; buoys

transitive verb

1

: to mark by or as if by a float or buoy

buoy an anchor

2

a

: to keep afloat

a raft buoyed by empty oil drums

b

: support, uplift

… an economy buoyed by the dramatic postwar growth of industry …

—Time

3

: to raise the spirits of

—usually used with up

hope buoys him up

intransitive verb

: float

—usually used with up

They buoyed up like a cork.

Examples of buoy in a Sentence

Verb

The tax breaks should help to buoy the economy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Others dive the Vandenberg, a massive former military ship turned artificial reef now draped in coral and schooling fish, or swing by the Southernmost Point for a photo with the iconic buoy. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026

But marine biologist Barbara Block, whose lab oversees the tracking project, noted that Lovers Point is outside the range of that buoy. —Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025

Verb

Also buoyed by a new head coach in Mike Vrabel, the 23-year-old Maye led the Patriots to a 14-3 record and their first AFC East title since 2019, which was Tom Brady’s final season in New England. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026

Johnson’s motive for fighting the video gambling terminals would be because revenues would eat into the city’s first casino at Bally’s Chicago, which was billed as a way to help buoy pension funds, and because critics say vice taxes are a regressive way to raise revenue. —Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English boye, probably from Middle Dutch boeye; akin to Old High German bouhhan sign — more at beacon

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing buoy

• bell buoy
• breeches buoy
• life buoy

Rhymes for buoy

• chewy
• dewy
• gooey
• ennui

Kids Definition

buoy

1 of 2 noun

ˈbü-ē  ˈbȯi 

1

: a floating object anchored in a body of water to mark a channel or warn of danger

2

: life buoy

buoy

2 of 2 verb

1

: to keep from sinking : keep afloat

2

: to brighten the mood of

the news buoyed him up