at bay
idiom
: in the position of being unable to move closer while attacking or trying to approach someone
—used with keep or hold
The soldiers kept the attackers at bay.
—often used figurativelyThe doctors have been able to keep her illness at bay for several months.
Examples of at bay in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hill kept the Raiders at bay with consecutive strikeouts.
—
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2024
Far from Normandy’s beaches, French paratroopers and resistance members fought a rear-guard action to keep the Nazis at bay.
—Pete McKenzie, New York Times, 7 June 2024
There are also baseball caps with fishing logos, like these options from Simms Fishing, which are also helpful for keeping the sun at bay.
—Christopher Murray, Fox News, 31 May 2024
Typically, following the conclusion of Hornets’ games, security has barricades in place outside the loading dock area to keep pedestrians and fans at bay, particularly when a car is leaving.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for at bay 
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2024
Far from Normandy’s beaches, French paratroopers and resistance members fought a rear-guard action to keep the Nazis at bay.
—Pete McKenzie, New York Times, 7 June 2024
There are also baseball caps with fishing logos, like these options from Simms Fishing, which are also helpful for keeping the sun at bay.
—Christopher Murray, Fox News, 31 May 2024
Typically, following the conclusion of Hornets’ games, security has barricades in place outside the loading dock area to keep pedestrians and fans at bay, particularly when a car is leaving.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for at bay
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at bay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near at bay
Cite this Entry
“At bay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20bay. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.
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