buoy
[ boo-ee, boi ]
/ ˈbu i, bɔɪ /
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noun
Nautical. a distinctively shaped and marked float, sometimes carrying a signal or signals, anchored to mark a channel, anchorage, navigational hazard, etc., or to provide a mooring place away from the shore.
a life buoy.
verb (used with object)
to keep afloat or support by or as if by a life buoy; keep from sinking (often followed by up): The life jacket buoyed her up until help arrived.
Nautical. to mark with a buoy or buoys.
to sustain or encourage (often followed by up): Her courage was buoyed by the doctor's assurances.
verb (used without object)
to float or rise by reason of lightness.
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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Origin of buoy
OTHER WORDS FROM buoy
un·buoyed, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH buoy
boy, buoyDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for buoy
British Dictionary definitions for buoy
buoy
/ (bɔɪ, US ˈbuːɪ) /
noun
a distinctively shaped and coloured float, anchored to the bottom, for designating moorings, navigable channels, or obstructions in a body of waterSee also life buoy
verb
(tr usually foll by up) to prevent from sinkingthe belt buoyed him up
(tr usually foll by up) to raise the spirits of; hearten
(tr) nautical to mark (a channel or obstruction) with a buoy or buoys
(intr) to rise to the surface
Word Origin for buoy
C13: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch boeie, boeye; see beacon
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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