standby

1 of 4

noun

stand·​by ˈstan(d)-ˌbī 

plural standbys ˈstan(d)-ˌbīz 

1

a

: one to be relied on especially in emergencies

b

: a favorite or reliable choice or resource

2

: one that is held in reserve ready for use : substitute

standby

2 of 4

adjective

1

: held near at hand and ready for use

a standby power plant

standby equipment

2

: relating to the act or condition of standing by

standby duty

a standby period

3

: of, relating to, or traveling by an airline service in which the passenger must wait for an available unreserved seat

standby passengers

a standby ticket

standby

3 of 4

adverb

: on a standby basis

fly standby

stand by

4 of 4

verb

stood by; standing by; stands by

intransitive verb

1

: to be present

also : to remain apart or aloof

2

: to be or to get ready to act

an ambulance was standing by

transitive verb

: to remain loyal or faithful to : defend

stood by his decision

Phrases

on standby

: ready or available for immediate action or use

Synonyms

Noun

• anchor
• backbone
• mainstay
• reliance
• pillar

Verb

• keep (to)
• abide by
• hold to
• live up to
• defend
• stick (to or with)
• adhere (to)
• cling (to)

Examples of standby in a Sentence

Noun

More police officers were sent as standbys.

We bought an electric generator as a standby.

Verb

no matter how much people object, I will stand by my decision

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Claire Saffitz’s recipe is my standby. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025

From cozy cashmere knitwear to fine-gauge standbys from Vince and Iro, there are tons of goodies. —Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025

Adjective

What if the standby note is just that? —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025

Some analysts and third-party trackers suggest that standby lines may have moved faster because Disney adjusted how many guests enter via Lightning Lane rather than standby, freeing up capacity in the regular queues. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025

Adverb

Others criticized the family for having the girl flying standby. —Colson Thayer, People.com, 29 July 2025

Multiple relatives, including the original poster (OP), were flying standby on the same route home, which included a layover. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025

Verb

Ferguson, who has long stood by her ex-husband, has also surrendered use of her Duchess of York title amid the scandal. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

Rob Shuter’s ShuterScoop is reporting that Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14, are standing by their mother. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1971, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing standby

• on standby

Rhymes for standby

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Kids Definition

standby

1 of 4 noun

stand·​by ˈstan(d)-ˌbī 

plural standbys -ˌbīz 

: one available or to be relied on especially in emergencies

standby

2 of 4 adjective

1

: held near at hand and ready for use

standby equipment

2

: relating to the act of standing by

a standby period

3

: of or relating to a mode of transportation (as airline service) in which the passengers must wait for an available unreserved spot

a standby ticket

standby

3 of 4 adverb

: as a standby passenger

flying standby

stand by

4 of 4 verb

(ˈ)stan(d)-ˈbī

1

: to be present

stood by, watching the game

2

: to be or to get ready to act

ambulances are standing by

3

: to remain loyal or faithful

stood by us to the end

stood by his decision