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

Pretoria responded to the threat of violence in June 30 protests with millions of dollars shuffled inside the police budget, tactical units deployed, and soldiers on standby. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 July 2026

Rocket Lab was supposed to have a satellite on standby to go up and inspect True Anomaly’s spacecraft, ready to launch on short notice once military officials gave the order. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026

Adjective

For example, journeymen electricians are capable of working on residential wiring, commercial distribution systems, industrial motor controls, low-voltage systems, and standby power. — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

The government shifted millions of dollars into the police budget, deployed tactical units, and put soldiers on standby. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 July 2026

Adverb

Travelers may rebook trips or fly standby between their same origin and destination cities anytime over the next 14 days. — Eve Chen, USA Today, 17 June 2026

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

Verb

Brooke’s awful husband is pushing her to stand by him in the face of workplace misconduct allegations. — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 July 2026

In the decades since, the United States has stood by Israel in its darkest hours and its most triumphant ones. — Naftali Bennett, Time, 9 July 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