buoy

1 of 2

noun

1
: float sense 2
especially, nautical : a floating object moored to the bottom to mark a channel or something (such as a shoal) lying under the water
swam out toward the buoy
2

Illustration of buoy

Illustration of buoy
  • buoy 1

buoy

2 of 2

verb

buoyed; buoying; buoys

transitive verb

1
: to mark by or as if by a float or buoy
buoy an anchor
2
a
: to keep afloat
a raft buoyed by empty oil drums
b
: support, uplift
an economy buoyed by the dramatic postwar growth of industryTime
3
: to raise the spirits of
usually used with up
hope buoys him up

intransitive verb

: float
usually used with up
They buoyed up like a cork.

Examples of buoy in a Sentence

Verb The tax breaks should help to buoy the economy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Entrepreneurship is a key measure of the report, so the prevalence of young firms helps buoy rankings. Worth Sparkman, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025 Whether or not the academy ultimately nominates Pamela Anderson for that film, her high-profile campaign buoys Curtis, who is already Oscar-vetted. Kyle Buchanan, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
As Jim Cramer explained during the Morning Meeting , the drop in interest rates buoyed the stocks. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025 The first win Saturday was in her head, but the second one played out in real time, buoyed by her ability to capture the rush and thrill of carrying out her game plan to completion. Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for buoy 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English boye, probably from Middle Dutch boeye; akin to Old High German bouhhan sign — more at beacon

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buoy was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near buoy

Cite this Entry

“Buoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buoy. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

buoy

1 of 2 noun
1
: a floating object anchored in a body of water to mark a channel or warn of danger
2

buoy

2 of 2 verb
1
: to keep from sinking : keep afloat
2
: to brighten the mood of
the news buoyed him up
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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