WordGarden.iostandby
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /stˈændbaɪ/
US
- /ˈstændˈbaɪ/
Meanings
Adjective
kept ready to be used or to take over if needed
traveling or ticketed without a confirmed seat while waiting for an opening
Noun
a state of readiness to act if needed
a dependable fallback person, thing, or option regularly relied on
a low-power waiting mode that lets a device resume quickly
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're at the airport. Sometimes there are more passengers than seats, so the airline may ask you to "stand by." That means you should stay ready in case a seat opens up. It is a kind of waiting, but with the expectation that something may happen soon. This idea appears in many other places too. Doctors, nurses, and repair workers may be "on standby," ready to respond at any moment. A soldier may be told to "stand by" and wait for the next order. You can also put a device on standby, which means it is not fully off but is still ready to start quickly.
"Standby" is a flexible word that comes from older nautical use, where it meant being ready to do a duty. Today, it usually describes a state of readiness, waiting, or being kept in reserve for possible use. It can be a noun or an adjective, while the verb form is usually written as two words: "stand by."
As a verb ("stand by"), it means to be prepared to act if needed. A firefighter might stand by near a burning building, ready to rush in. Or you might ask a friend to stand by while you troubleshoot a technical issue—meaning they should wait for your signal before helping.
As an adjective, "standby" describes something kept ready as a backup or extra option. You might have a standby generator for power outages, a standby list for concert tickets, or standby staff available if more help is needed.
As a noun, "standby" can refer to a state of waiting readiness: "The emergency crew was on standby all night." It can also mean a dependable person or thing that is used again and again: "That old recipe is my usual standby." In travel, it can also refer to a waiting status for an open seat.
The word is also common in electronics. If a TV, computer, or other machine is on standby, it is not fully operating, but it is still ready to turn on quickly.
So, whether you are waiting for instructions, ready for an emergency, hoping for an open seat, or using a backup device, "standby" is about being ready to act when the moment comes.
Examples
- 1
Medical readiness
A doctor was on standby in case the baby arrived early.
- 2
Guest transport
We keep a taxi on standby for guests who need to leave suddenly.
- 3
Low-power mode
Before bed, she put her laptop on standby instead of turning it off.
- Domainin electronics, on standby
in a low-power state, ready to start quickly
- 4
Air travel
If a passenger misses the flight, someone on standby may get the seat.
- Domainin air travel, on standby
waiting for a seat if one becomes available
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Emergency power
The building has a standby generator for power cuts.
- 6
Reliable choice
This pasta dish is my standby on busy weeknights.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- fallback
- alternate
- understudy
Contrast
- first choice
- primary
Do not confuse
- stand by
Used with (collocations)
- on standby
- standby generator
- standby crew
- standby ticket
Word family
Explore
- contingency plan
- redundancy
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- standbynounadverbadjective
Forms
- stand-byspluralnounadjectiveadverb
- standbyspluralnounadjectiveadverb