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
Riverwalk vendors receive seasonal training on where the buoys are located and how to use them. — Darius Johnson, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Birders caught its relative the brown booby (Sula leucogaster) visiting boats and stopping on buoys around the Chesapeake in July. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
Attendance has grown by 4 percent globally and 3 percent domestically, while future bookings also look healthy and guest spending at the parks was also up — buoyed in part by a slate of discounts at its parks. — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026 Giannoulias entered the race buoyed by high name recognition, support from trades unions and a towering lead in campaign cash. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 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 9 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of buoy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buoy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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