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

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

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

Past

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

Overseas Nepali workers bankroll their families and buttress the economy, making them a key constituency in elections next week -- but they cannot vote themselves.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

Basically, since getting sworn in to the role, Patel has used a Gulfstream jet owned by the agency to buttress his vacation time.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025

She landed on a curving ivory buttress and rode it like a skateboarder grinding a railing.

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia

Related Words

• reinforce
• strengthen
• uphold