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
Careful to avoid the sharp oyster shells below and razor-like edges of barnacles on the dock pylons all around, Leven got the buoy to Von Herbulis. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 The first is observations, which include measurements of rainfall, near-surface temperature, wind speed and other weather variables collected from weather stations, radars, buoys and satellites. — Chanh Kieu, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
His proficiency, buoyed by his expensive taste and skill in daisy-chaining images together, got his foot in the door of the indie-rap revitalization. — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026 Experts say such higher pump prices will continue to squeeze lower-income shoppers, while higher-income shoppers buoyed by stock market gains will keep splurging on discretionary purchases. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 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

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