standby Definition
- 1a state of readiness to act or be called upon at a moment's notice
- 2a person or thing that is available to perform a particular function as and when required
Using standby: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "standby" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The ambulance was on standby in case of any emergency.
Example
We have a standby generator in case of a power outage.
Example
The flight was overbooked, so I had to wait on standby for the next one.
Example
I'll be your standby if you need any help.
standby Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for standby
Antonyms for standby
Idioms Using standby
Example
I'm on standby for the job interview, waiting for them to call me back.
Example
We're keeping a lawyer on standby in case we need legal advice.
Example
I put my project on standby while I worked on other things.
Phrases with standby
Example
The fire department is always on standby in case of an emergency.
a low-power mode that electronic devices enter when they are not in use but are still connected to a power source
Example
My computer automatically goes into standby mode after a period of inactivity.
a ticket for a flight that is not guaranteed, but allows the passenger to board if there are any available seats after all confirmed passengers have boarded
Example
I got a standby ticket for the next flight, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get on.
Origins of standby
from 'stand' + 'by'
Summary: standby in Brief
The term 'standby' [ˈstændbaɪ] refers to a state of readiness to act or be called upon at a moment's notice. It can refer to a person or thing that is available to perform a particular function as and when required. Examples include an ambulance on standby, a standby generator, and a standby ticket. Idioms like 'on standby' and 'keep someone on standby' denote readiness and waiting, while 'put something on standby' means to temporarily stop using or working on something.