buoy

¹buoy

noun \ˈbü-ē, ˈbȯi\

Definition of BUOY

1

: float 2; especially : a floating object moored to the bottom to mark a channel or something (as a shoal) lying under the water

2

: life buoy

Illustration of BUOY

Origin of BUOY

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with BUOY

bluey, chewy, flooey, gluey, gooey, hooey, newie, phooey, rouille, screwy, sloughy, viewy

²buoy

verb

Definition of BUOY

transitive verb

1

: to mark by or as if by a buoy

2

a : to keep afloat

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

Examples of BUOY

1. The tax breaks should help to buoy the economy.

First Known Use of BUOY

1596