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buoy definition

buoy (bo̵̅o̅′ē; also, and for v. 3 usually, bo̵i)

noun

    1. a floating object anchored in a lake, river, etc. to mark a channel, warn of a hazard, etc., variously shaped and colored, and often equipped with a bell or light
    2. a similar but larger and heavier object, usually with a ring on top, to which a ship can be moored
      in full mooring buoy
  2. life buoy

Etymology: ME < (? via MDu boeie) OFr buie, chain < L boia, fetter (see boy): prob. first applied to the chain anchoring the float

transitive verb

  1. to mark or provide with a buoy
  2. to keep afloat: usually with up
  3. to lift up or keep up in spirits; encourage: usually with up

Etymology: < Sp boyar, to float

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

buoy Synonyms

buoy

n.

float, drift, floating marker; see float 1.

Types of buoys include: bell, can, life, nun, light, whistling.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

buoy Usage Examples

Object

  • channel: We then started really dodging about, through lakes with buoyed channels, which are interconnected by short cuts.

Converse of object

  • drift: The group has always been involved in the development of drifting buoys.

Subject

  • victory: Buoyed by the home victory against Arsenal seven days earlier, Allardyce opted not to make any chances to his starting line-up.

Converse of subject

  • mark: The zones for swimming and the zones for water sports are clearly marked by buoys.

Adjective modifier

  • navigational: Worse still, a navigational buoy had been moved and the requisite chart corrections were lacking.

Modifying Another Word

  • on: The net floats above the wreck somewhat on buoys, but is tight and so fairly safe.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • along: However, the teaching in the faculty was superb and I just seemed to get buoyed along by the current.

Used with why or when

  • that: We found a diminutive bottle buoy that helped us to find the wreck.

Present participle complement

  • mark: The buoy marking it had drifted away in the storm.

Noun used with modifier

  • marker: A well equipped craft providing vigilant surface cover and ready to recall divers or follow marker buoys is essential.

Preposition: by

  • victory: Buoyed by the home victory against Arsenal seven days earlier, Allardyce opted not to make any chances to his starting line-up.
buoy usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"buoy." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/buoy>

APA Style

buoy. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/buoy

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