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

see also on standby

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

just stood by and watched the boys fight

2

: to be or to get ready to act

an ambulance was standing by

transitive verb

1

a

: to support or defend (something)

stood by what he said earlier

b

: to act in a way that is required by (as a belief or a promise)

stood by her word

2

: to remain loyal or faithful to (someone)

stand by a friend

Synonyms of standby

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

Bus shuttle service has been canceled but will remain on standby as service frequency improves. —Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026

Government prepares to respond The federal government put nearly 30 search-and-rescue teams on standby. —Thomas Peipert, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026

Adjective

The Capitol Corridor shares a fleet of locomotives with the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority, but a pool of standby backup trains has been depleted. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 26 Jan. 2026

While there are normally standby locomotives to fill in when mechanical issues occur, the backups have not been available in recent weeks, according to the agency. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026

Adverb

The city has over 2,000 tons of salt, 16 salt trucks and 6 or more plows on standby, said Scott Morgan, Director of Memphis Public Works and Infrastructure Support. —Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 23 Jan. 2026

Some Democrats are also now calling for the immigration officer involved in the shooting to face legal action, and Walz has the Minnesota National Guard on standby as protests arise. —Sarah Davis, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026

Verb

The Downsides Though many stand by their first-hand experiences with the ingredient, experts say that research is still limited. —Audrey Noble, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026

However, scientists and vaccine experts near uniformly stand by the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine and mRNA technology, which shows promise for use in a wide range of applications, including cancer and HIV. —Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026

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