standby

Or stand-by

[stand-bahy]

noun

plural

standbys 

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.

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of standby¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

Example Sentences

The U.S. also said it might buy Argentine debt and use its Exchange Stabilization Fund to provide standby credit.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The government has been on standby to supervise a form of temporary nationalisation as Thames has sought to secure fresh investment.

Read more on BBC

Stephan runs a team of specialist archaeologists who are on standby 24/7.

Read more on BBC

There was a buzz in the air even before the lights faded to black with the standby line filled with hopefuls trying to grab a last-minute ticket.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

An ambulance was put on standby while she was being interrogated, Reuters reported citing the special prosecutor's office.

Read more on BBC