standby

American  

[stand-bahy] / ˈstændˌbaɪ /

Or stand-by

noun

standbys plural

1. a staunch supporter or adherent; one who can be relied upon.

2. something upon which one can rely and therefore choose or use regularly.

3. something or someone held ready to serve as a substitute, especially a radio or television program used as a filler in case of cancellation of a regularly scheduled program.

4. a traveler who is waiting for last-minute accommodations to become available on a plane, train, or other transport as a result of a cancellation.

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adjective

1. kept readily available for use in an emergency, shortage, or the like.

   a standby player.

2. of or relating to last-minute accommodations, the transport that offers them, or a traveler who is waiting for them.

   a standby flight.

3. of or relating to a waiting period.

idioms

1. on standby, in a state of readiness to act, respond, or be used immediately when needed.

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• standbys
  plural

Etymology

Origin of standby

First recorded in 1790–1800; noun, adj. use of verb phrase stand by

Explanation

A standby is something (or someone) you can rely on in an emergency, like the bicycle you keep as a standby in case your old car won't start. In basketball, the players on the bench are the standbys for their teammates on the court; and in theater, an actor's understudy is her standby. When something is "on standby," it's ready to jump in or be used immediately. And when you fly on standby, you are ready to take an extra seat on a flight if one becomes available. Standby comes from nautical slang for "a vessel kept for emergencies," originally "that which stands by one."

Example Sentences

I make it a point to introduce my students to the literature of their home state, which includes Joan Didion, a standby and giant of what we now call creative nonfiction.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Other measures include deploying drones to identify suspects, putting armoured vehicles on standby, and equipping all officers with riot gear.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

The police union may try to negotiate for bonus, hazard and standby pay for officers who work the Games when their contract expires next June.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

In addition to these five documents, Steele recommends one more if your state allows it: a standby guardianship form.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Neeley ordered the old standby, chocolate soda, and Katie and Evy chose plain vanilla ice cream.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith