stand by

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 stand by

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

Examples of stand by in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Madison has continued to stand by her account. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026

No matter which way the wind blows, Morgan Wallen is standing by his decision. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026

An extended chapter of Hector on a shoot in Argentina could stand by itself as a wonderful short story about male ego, vanity, desire and loyalty. —John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026

Speak softly, yet stand by your practical boundary. —Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for stand by

• 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