Illustration of buttress
- buttress 1
1
architecture
: a projecting structure of masonry or wood for supporting or giving stability to a wall or building
2
: something that resembles a buttress: such as
a
: a projecting part of a mountain or hill
b
biology
: a horny protuberance on a horse's hoof at the heel see hoof illustration
c
botany
: the broadened base of a tree trunk or a thickened vertical part of it
3
: something that supports or strengthens
a buttress of the cause of peace
buttressed; buttressing; buttresses
architecture
: to give support or stability to (a wall or building) with a projecting structure of masonry or wood : to furnish or shore up with a buttress (see buttress entry 1 sense 1)
Did you know?
The word buttress first budded in the world of architecture during the 14th century, when it was used to describe an exterior support that projects from a wall to resist the sideways force, called thrust, created by the load on an arch or roof. The word ultimately comes from the Anglo-French verb buter, meaning "to thrust." Buter is also the source of our verb butt, meaning "to thrust, push, or strike with the head or horns." Buttress developed figurative use relatively soon after its adoption, being applied to anything that supports or strengthens something else. No buts about it: the world would not be the same without buttresses.
Examples of buttress in a Sentence
Noun
the mother had always been the buttress of our family in trying times
after the wall collapsed, the construction company agreed to rebuild it with a buttress
Verb
The treaty will buttress the cause of peace.
The theory has been buttressed by the results of the experiment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Large buttresses extend back from the cockpit and over the rear wheels and maintain the fastback shape even when the roof is stowed.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2025
David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Israel’s actions have drawn widespread international condemnation, but Netanyahu and his government have been buttressed by the support of their most important ally, the United States.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buttress
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Noun
At a number of events on Tuesday, senior officials made a case for gas as essential for energy security and a buttress to renewables.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Large buttresses extend back from the cockpit and over the rear wheels and maintain the fastback shape even when the roof is stowed.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
According to Martins, being diversified helps buttress the company against macro headwinds, and the various business units of JHSF share many of the same customers.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Israel’s actions have drawn widespread international condemnation, but Netanyahu and his government have been buttressed by the support of their most important ally, the United States.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buttress
Cite this Entry
“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buttress. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
buttress
1 of 2 noun
but·tress
ˈbə-trəs 
1
: a structure built against a wall or building to give support and strength
2
: something that supports, props, or strengthens
buttress
2 of 2 verb
: to support with or as if with a buttress
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