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

Rescue boats from the Romney and Springfield fire departments were used to transport everyone safely to a nearby cabin, while additional boats remained on standby in case conditions worsened or more assistance was needed. —Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026

While the appetite for $500-per-person omakase may be cooling slightly, Indian and Levantine spots are as in-demand as the city’s classic steakhouses and French and Italian standbys. —Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026

Adjective

While not a washout like the past weekend, keep your umbrella on standby as passing showers and storms will be moving through the area during the first half of the day. —Bill Kelly, CBS News, 27 May 2026

In April 1977 the new president proposed a standby gasoline tax as part of his broader energy plan. —Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Adverb

Chicken has long been a weekend standby, but this recipe adds a kick of flavor to the old faithful. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 14 May 2026

North Texas mother, Yara Sutton, said her sons missed their flight in Atlanta because of the long security lines and had to fly standby on a later flight. —Marissa Armas, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

Verb

In an email sent to university leadership after the settlement was agreed, Mearns stood by his decision to fire Swierc. —Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 June 2026

Democratic Majority for Israel, which spends to help pro-Israel candidates in party primaries, redirected a question about what was happening to stand by the practice of pro-Israel groups messaging on issues that are entirely domestic. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 June 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