Meaning

(nautical) A float moored in water to mark a location, warn of danger, indicate a navigational channel or for other purposes.

Definitions by Sense

1. (nautical) A float moored in water to mark a location, warn of danger, indicate a navigational channel or for other purposes
2. (linguistics, sign language) A sign where the non-dominant hand is held in a stationary configuration as a landmark for meaning associations with the dominant hand.
3. (transitive) To keep afloat or aloft; used with up.
4. (transitive) To support or maintain at a high level.
5. (transitive) To mark with a buoy.
6. To maintain or enhance enthusiasm or confidence; to lift the spirits of.

Example Sentences

While comm buoys allow rapid transmission, there is a finite amount of bandwidth available. Given that trillions of people may be trying to pass a message through a given buoy at any one time, access to the network is parceled out on priority tiers.

Texas began deploying chains of specially designed buoys down the middle of the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass to deter migrants from crossing illegally in June 2023, sparking protests from migrant activists and from the Mexican government.

list buoy

“My Heart Will Go On” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on Feb. 28, 1998, buoying the Titanic soundtrack’s 16-week run atop the Billboard 200.

to buoy an anchor; to buoy or buoy off a channel

Not one rock near the surface was discovered which was not buoyed by this floating weed.

Buoyed by the huge success, they announced two other projects.

This dynamic stage of the ongoing struggle for long-denied democratic rights and national liberation helped inspire and buoy many in the U.S. and around the world who longed for social and economic justice.

Word Forms

• buoys
• buoying
• buoyed

Synonyms for buoy

Related Words

When Should You Use Buoy?

Use buoy when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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