buttress
noun
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.
buttresses
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pluralof buttress.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof buttress (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
buttressnounany 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.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the very short-term, Tyler thinks inflation and payrolls data due this week may reinforce sentiment, especially if a jobs number like August’s buttresses the growth story.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
They are integral parts of a dynamic structural system—their weight of stone pushing the walls outward while the flying buttresses outside push them inward—the two forces exactly matching, like a perfectly balanced seesaw.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 3, 2025
The manuscript reveals a gothic, green castle, with decadent arches, spires and buttresses — the very castle on the stage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2025
At the last minute though, those faithful buttresses on the south side were further strengthened.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2024
Chiefdoms characteristically have an ideology, precursor to an institutionalized religion, that buttresses the chief’s authority.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
