Dictionary
1buoy
noun \ˈbü-ē, ˈbȯi\
: an object that floats on water in a lake, bay, river, etc., to show areas that are safe or dangerous for boats
Full Definition of BUOY
1
: float 2; especially : a floating object moored to the bottom to mark a channel or something (as a shoal) lying under the water
2
See buoy defined for English-language learners
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Illustration of BUOY
Origin of BUOY
Middle English boye, probably from Middle Dutch boeye; akin to Old High German bouhhan sign — more at beacon
First Known Use: 13th century
2buoy
verb
: to cause (someone) to feel happy or confident
: to lift or improve (something)
Full Definition of BUOY
transitive verb
1
: to mark by or as if by a buoy
2
3
: to raise the spirits of —usually used with up <hope buoys him up>
intransitive verb
: float —usually used with up
See buoy defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BUOY
1596
BUOYED Defined for Kids
1buoy
noun \ˈbü-ē, ˈbȯi\
Definition of BUOY for Kids
1
: a floating object anchored in a body of water to mark a channel or to warn of danger
2
2buoy
verb
buoyedbuoy·ing
Definition of BUOY for Kids
1
: to keep from sinking : keep afloat
2
: to brighten the mood of <… if hope had not buoyed me up, I must have … given up. — Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped>
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