buoyancy

noun

buoy·​an·​cy ˈbȯi-ən(t)-sē How to pronounce buoyancy (audio)
ˈbü-yən(t)-
1
a
: the tendency of a body to float or to rise when submerged in a fluid
testing an object's buoyancy
b
chemistry : the power of a fluid to exert an upward force on a body placed in it
the buoyancy of water
also : the upward force exerted
2
: the ability to recover quickly from depression or discouragement : resilience
his buoyancy of spirit
3
: the property of maintaining a satisfactorily high level (as of prices or economic activity)
betting that the economy will maintain its buoyancy

Example Sentences

the natural buoyancy of cork The swimmer is supported by the water's buoyancy. We hope that the economy will maintain its buoyancy.
Recent Examples on the Web Details: The layers of the Lux include gel buoyancy foam, a blended foam that the brand claims reacts faster than traditional memory foam and has better support for more pressure relief. Jasmine Gomez, Women's Health, 17 Mar. 2023 Levi, once again, carries the movie, though with a shade less of that infectious buoyancy. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Mar. 2023 But the more important change is less tangible — the buoyancy that comes with a complete return to confidence. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2023 Wings lets gliders toggle buoyancy like lift on an airplane, leading to descents and ascents that look more like flights than dives. Kelsey D. Atherton, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2023 Blush-pink paper hearts lend any vignette or Valentine’s Day party a sense of lighthearted buoyancy. Kate Mcgregor, ELLE Decor, 17 Jan. 2023 The second issue was the lack of reserve buoyancy that would make the DUKWs extra buoyant as insurance against flooding. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 17 Jan. 2023 Large lungs add buoyancy at the surface and provide a store of oxygen to the circulatory system during foraging dives that can last nearly eight minutes. National Geographic, 11 Jan. 2023 But the cautious buoyancy began to sink as Biden kept in place the flagship Miller policy of Title 42, a pretextual use of the Covid pandemic to shut down the majority of migrants’ ability to even make an asylum claim at the border. Felipe De La Hoz, The New Republic, 1 Mar. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

see buoy entry 1

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of buoyancy was in 1713

Dictionary Entries Near buoyancy

Cite this Entry

“Buoyancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buoyancy. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

buoyancy

noun
buoy·​an·​cy ˈbȯi-ən-sē How to pronounce buoyancy (audio)
ˈbü-yən-
1
: the tendency of a body to float or to rise when in a fluid
the buoyancy of a cork in water
2
: the power of a fluid to put an upward force on a body placed in it
the buoyancy of seawater
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Love It or Hate It

  • heart-fire
  • When asked about her blind date, Carol spoke for hours with vitriol.
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY