buoy

1 of 2

noun

ˈbü-ē How to pronounce buoy (audio) ˈbȯi How to pronounce buoy (audio)
Synonyms of buoy
1
: float sense 2
especially, nautical : a floating object moored to the bottom to mark a channel or something (such as a shoal) lying under the water
swam out toward the buoy
2
: life buoy

Illustration of buoy

Illustration of buoy
  • buoy 1

buoy

2 of 2

verb

buoyed; buoying; buoys

transitive verb

1
: to mark by or as if by a float or buoy
buoy an anchor
2
a
: to keep afloat
a raft buoyed by empty oil drums
b
: support, uplift
… an economy buoyed by the dramatic postwar growth of industry …—Time
3
: to raise the spirits of
—usually used with up
hope buoys him up

intransitive verb

: float
—usually used with up
They buoyed up like a cork.

Examples of buoy in a Sentence

Verb The tax breaks should help to buoy the economy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Prototype points toward larger trials To demonstrate the design, the researchers produced a marine buoy that remained stable in a turbulent seawater tank rotated up to 45 degrees. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026 While that was taking place, a friend of Bruney's was able to stop the bleeding using a cord from his swim buoy. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
Carney was also buoyed by Monday’s Liberal sweep of three special elections, including a decisive win in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord in Quebec, where the Conservatives fell to third place. — Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Carney was also buoyed by Monday's Liberal sweep of three special elections, including a decisive win in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, Quebec, where the Conservatives fell to third place. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for buoy

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English boye, probably from Middle Dutch boeye; akin to Old High German bouhhan sign — more at beacon

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buoy was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing buoy

Rhymes for buoy

See All Rhymes for buoy

Browse Nearby Words

buon fresco
buoy
buoyage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Buoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buoy. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

buoy

1 of 2 noun
ˈbü-ē How to pronounce buoy (audio) ˈbȯi How to pronounce buoy (audio)
1
: a floating object anchored in a body of water to mark a channel or warn of danger
2
: life buoy

buoy

2 of 2 verb
1
: to keep from sinking : keep afloat
2
: to brighten the mood of
the news buoyed him up

More from Merriam-Webster on buoy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for buoy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buoy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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