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

In the tropical Pacific Ocean, La Niña and El Niño are detected by many methods, including satellites, moored buoys, drifting buoys, sea level analysis and expendable buoys, according to NOAA. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025

According to the company, in contrast to visible surface buoys or large floating structures, the system is fully submerged beneath the sea surface. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025

Verb

Wilkins was buoyed by the kindness of strangers, including those who wrote letters and donated to her medical care. —Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025

Democrats maintained a strong advantage in Northern Virginia, where turnout among suburban voters continues to buoy Spanberger’s numbers, while Republicans remained dominant in Southwest Virginia and other rural regions. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 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