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
Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 27 May 2026
Over the next five years restoration will extend to the three great rose windows of the west, north, and south façades, the flying buttresses of the nave, the west façade towers, and the windows of the nave tribune as well as the choir chapels.
—Michael T. Davis, The New York Review of Books, 23 May 2026
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Magic Reservoir, which in years past has buttressed water deliveries into September, was only 37% full on Wednesday, according to the company.
—Mark Dee
may 22, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for buttress
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Noun
The European castle vibes continue throughout the entire Spanish Mission-style historic inn—think archways, flying buttresses, and towers that would make perfect backdrops for a photo session of your kiddo in their favorite Elsa, Cinderella, or Tiana costume.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 27 May 2026
Over the next five years restoration will extend to the three great rose windows of the west, north, and south façades, the flying buttresses of the nave, the west façade towers, and the windows of the nave tribune as well as the choir chapels.
—Michael T. Davis, The New York Review of Books, 23 May 2026
Verb
Barragán brings a surprising depth and empathy to The Yahoo Boys, to the tin roofs and traffic jams of Lagos, the SIM cards and Apple IDs that buttress this edifice of deceit.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Magic Reservoir, which in years past has buttressed water deliveries into September, was only 37% full on Wednesday, according to the company.
—Mark Dee
may 22, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for buttress
Cite this Entry
“Buttress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buttress. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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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