buttress

American  

[buh-tris] / ˈbʌ trɪs /

noun

1. any external prop or support built to steady a structure by opposing its outward thrusts, especially a projecting support built into or against the outside of a masonry wall.

2. any prop or support.

3. a thing shaped like a buttress, as a tree trunk with a widening base.

4. a bony or horny protuberance, especially on a horse's hoof.

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verb (used with object)

buttresses, present (3rd person singular) buttressed, past participle, past buttressing present participle

1. to support by a buttress; prop up.

2. to give encouragement or support to (a person, plan, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   reinforce, brace, inspirit, support, hearten, encourage

buttress British  

/ ˈbʌtrɪs /

noun

1. Also called: pier.  a construction, usually of brick or stone, built to support a wall See also flying buttress

2. any support or prop

3. something shaped like a buttress, such as a projection from a mountainside

4. either of the two pointed rear parts of a horse's hoof

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verb

1. to support (a wall) with a buttress

2. to support or sustain

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• buttresslike
  adjective
• buttressless
  adjective
• unbuttressed
  adjective
• nonbuttressed
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have buttressed
  perfect
• has buttressed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• is buttressing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• buttresses
  singular 3rd person
• buttressing
  participle
• am buttressing
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been buttressing
  perfect progressive
• has been buttressing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• are buttressing
  progressive

Past

• had buttressed
  perfect
• was buttressing
  progressive singular
• were buttressing
  progressive plural
• buttressed
  participle
• had been buttressing
  perfect progressive
• buttressed
  simple

Future

• will buttress
  simple
• will have buttressed
  perfect
• will have been buttressing
  perfect progressive
• will be buttressing
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of buttress

1350–1400; Middle English butres ≪ Old French ( arc ) boterez thrusting (arch) nominative singular of boteret (accusative), equivalent to boter- abutment (perhaps < Germanic; see butt ³) + -et -et

Explanation

You can buttress an argument with solid facts or your financial portfolio with safe investments. You may find that giving compliments to everyone you meet buttresses your popularity. To buttress is to sustain or reinforce. A buttress is a structure that adds stability to a wall or building, and this innovation played a significant role in the evolution of architecture. Think of a medieval cathedral. It's an incredibly tall, open building filled with light from vast windows. Without buttresses supporting the walls and carrying the weight of the ceiling away from the building and down to the ground, this cathedral would be impossible. Picture this when you use buttress figuratively as a verb meaning to strengthen and support.

Example Sentences

Millions will be spent to regild the hulking Art Deco statues that buttress Arlington Memorial Bridge.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

If Blackstone and other lenders recover all or most of their financing, it would buttress their case that investors have overreacted to software cataclysm concerns.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

To him, the ribbed vault and flying buttress were the epitome of rational construction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

But even when things get shaky, Seyfried is there to buttress the film with a truly inhuman strength.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026

Then they were hoisted into place and fastened to the pier at one end and to the buttress at the other.

From "Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction" by David Macaulay

Related Words

• reinforce
• strengthen
• uphold