buoy

1 of 2

noun

ˈbü-ē  ˈbȯi 

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

Illustration of buoy

• buoy 1

buoy

2 of 2

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.

Examples of buoy in a Sentence

Verb

The tax breaks should help to buoy the economy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But marine biologist Barbara Block, whose lab oversees the tracking project, noted that Lovers Point is outside the range of that buoy. —Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025

Before leaving the whale, who is still partically entangled in fish gear, the resonders added a telemetry buoy to the remaining gear, this will allow conservation experts to keep track of the whale and continue rescue efforts. —Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025

Verb

Greer’s remarks will buoy officials in Ottawa and Mexico City, who are gearing up for next year’s high-stakes review of the USMCA, at which point signatories may withdraw. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Holiday hopes and hiring freezes Despite the profitability squeeze, total profits remained positive in November, buoyed by the holiday calendar. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing buoy

• bell buoy
• breeches buoy
• life buoy

Rhymes for buoy

• chewy
• dewy
• gooey
• ennui

Kids Definition

buoy

1 of 2 noun

ˈbü-ē  ˈbȯi 

1

: a floating object anchored in a body of water to mark a channel or warn of danger

2

: life buoy

buoy

2 of 2 verb

1

: to keep from sinking : keep afloat

2

: to brighten the mood of

the news buoyed him up