Definition of buoy
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
buoy
verb
buoyed; buoying; buoys
Definition of buoy (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to mark by or as if by a float or buoy
buoy an anchor
2a
: to keep afloat
a raft buoyed by empty oil drums
3
: to raise the spirits of
—usually used with up hope buoys him up
: float
—usually used with up They buoyed up like a cork.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for buoy
The first known use of buoy was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century