buoy

noun \ ˈbü-ē , ˈbȯi \

|Updated on: 22 Jul 2018

1 : float 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

See buoy defined for English-language learners

See buoy defined for kids

Recent Examples of buoy from the Web

To protect the devices against theft, the Coast Guard has been sailing around the region, using blowtorches to weld the nuts and bolts that secure the gongs and bells to the buoys.

— david abel, BostonGlobe.com, "Someone is stealing bells and gongs from buoys in Maine," 25 June 2018
An hour after Jason’s call to Billy Brown, the Alona Rahab and several other Tangier boats converged on the corn buoy.

— earl swift, Outside Online, "The Incredible True Story of the Henrietta C.," 20 June 2018
That buoy could partially counterbalance the effect of delinquencies, especially for someone starting with very low credit.

— michael taylor, San Antonio Express-News, "What to do with too much credit card debt?," 3 June 2018
Both have designated swimming areas, where children and adults can splash within the buoys under the watchful eyes of lifeguards.

— michelle theriault boots, Anchorage Daily News, "Feel like a swim? Here’s the lowdown on Anchorage lakes," 4 July 2018
Scientists at the University of Delaware and NOAA just deployed the first permanent buoy to measure carbon dioxide levels in Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the eastern United States.

— eric niiler, National Geographic, "The Ocean Is Getting More Acidic—What That Actually Means," 15 June 2018
Though the details of Tirico's specific duties remain unclear, the appointment of such a notable personality should be viewed by IndyCar and its fans as a strong sign that NBC is dedicated to helping buoy not just the 500 but the series, as well.

— jim ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Mike Tirico to host NBC's coverage of Indy 500," 14 June 2018
Turns out there’s a very good explanation for the worm-like buoys.

— aubrey nagle, Philly.com, "Temple tackles rare heart transplant, Lower Merion public garden at risk | Morning Newsletter," 13 June 2018
But there are Wendy and Lara, the buoys bringing Axe closer to humanity.

— refinery29.com, "Billions Season 3, Episode 11 Recap: "Forward Momentum Above All Things"," 4 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buoy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of buoy

Origin and Etymology of buoy

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

buoy

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.

See buoy defined for English-language learners

Examples of buoy in a Sentence

The tax breaks should help to buoy the economy.

Recent Examples of buoy from the Web

Eager tourists, drawn by an unusually long spell of glorious summer weather, were back at Stonehenge, and England’s World Cup team was surging, buoying spirits.

— Washington Post, "UK town faces new reality: Another nerve agent poisoning," 6 July 2018
For some investors, rising German bond yields suggest that the period of global synchronized growth that buoyed confidence at the beginning of the year may be waning.

— jon sindreu, WSJ, "Investors Can’t Get Enough German Bonds," 4 July 2018
That July Fourth feels like a different lifetime now, and not only because my English friends are no longer immune from lamenting the far-right, pseudo-populist insurgence that buoyed Donald Trump into the presidency.

— bridget read, Vogue, "Celebrating America When You’re Feeling Less Than Patriotic," 4 July 2018
The video, along with pictures taken by rescuers, buoyed the spirits of families awaiting reunions at the cave's main entrance.

— john bacon, USA TODAY, "Water-filled tunnels, heavy rain and kids who can’t swim: The arduous Thailand cave rescue," 3 July 2018
That ruling has buoyed Arizona advocates’ hopes, and the Texas victory is showing a way.

— krista torralva, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas takes the lead in championing Mexican American Studies, advocates say in San Antonio summit," 2 July 2018
The worsening shortage has prevented home-buying even as a strong job market has buoyed demand.

— josh boak, Fox News, "US pending home sales fell 0.5 percent in May," 27 June 2018
The lifting of the driving ban last Sunday is expected to gradually improve women’s participation in the workforce and buoy the economy.

— aya batrawy, The Seattle Times, "After ban ends, Saudi women see new job in becoming drivers," 26 June 2018
There was tension at the outset, but an overall sense of confidence as El Tri—its confidence buoyed after a stunning opening win against reigning World Champion Germany, a perennial powerhouse — took to the pitch in Russia’s Rostov Arena.

— patrick j. mcdonnell, latimes.com, "In Mexico the joy continues as national team wins again in the World Cup," 24 June 2018