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

To make the look seasonally apropos, put thought into color, pattern, and material; designs that incorporate warm-weather standbys like pastels, florals, and chiffon are always good ideas. —Alison Syrett Cleary, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026

Golf carts are always on standby to transport guests throughout. —Terry Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025

Adjective

Remaining seats will be offered to people in a standby line that will form 30 minutes before each performance. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026

Emergency medical care was administered to her immediately, and CareFlite was put on standby for other potential patients. —Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026

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

SpaceX support crews and NASA flight surgeons will be standing by aboard the company's Crew Dragon recovery ship. —William Harwood, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026

Washington stood by the fireplace in a dining room cleared of its chairs. —Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 7 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