A standby is something or someone that is always ready to be used if they are needed.
Canned varieties of beans and pulses are a good standby.
He sat through the trial as a standby juror.
2.
See on standby
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A standby ticket for something such as the theatre or a plane journey is a cheap ticket that you buy just before the performance starts or the plane takes off, if there are still some seats left.
Access International books standby flights from New York to Europe.
Standby is also an adverb.
Magda was going to fly standby.
standby in British English
(ˈstændbaɪ)
noun
1.
something that is useful or reliable when needed
Canned varieties of beans and pulses are a good standby.
Eggs are a great standby.
2. on standby
adjective
3.
of or relating to a (usually cheaper) ticket, if they are still available, bought on a plane just before it is about to leave rather than being booked in advance, or to travelling in this way
Access International books standby flights from New York to Europe.
adjective
4.
of or relating to travelling by plane by buying a (usually cheaper) ticket just beforethe plane is about to leave rather than booking in advance
Magda was going to fly standby.
standby in American English
(ˈstændˌbaɪ)
nounWord forms: pluralˈstandˌbys
1.
a person or thing that can always be depended on, is always effective, etc.
2.
a person or thing ready to serve or be put into service on an emergency basis or as a substitute
3.
a person waiting to board an airplane, etc. if space becomes available, as through a cancellation
adjective
4.
of, for, or functioning as a standby
Idioms:
on standby
Examples of 'standby' in a sentence
standby
This is one reason employees at some airlines can fly for free if they fly standby.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
This old standby of yesteryear deserves good publicity.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
An insult to put him on the standby list?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Not leaving appliances on standby mode is another.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Work plans you put on standby are ready to be tested.
The Sun (2010)
All staff can buy standby tickets for ten per cent of the normal price.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But gun cops were on standby just in case.
The Sun (2010)
And should we have paramedics on standby in case they choke on a crumb?
The Sun (2008)
Of more concern to environmental pressure groups is the increasing number of productswhich feature a standby mode.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Sky has introduced software that automatically switches its digital boxes to standby mode overnight if they are not being used.
The Sun (2007)
The tinned cooked ones are fine, and are a great standby.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Make up a batch and have it on standby, ready and raring to go!
The Sun (2015)
Their other great worries are standby facilities for business continuity, risk to brand values and risk to employees.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
What is it with sensitive England players being far too high and mighty to be on a standby list?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The brew could be made in advance and the noodles soaked, both ready on standby for a quickly finished dish.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They are a great standby.
The Sun (2012)
It would not have bothered me who called to say I was on a standby list.
The Sun (2012)
Another woman suggests saving on bills by buying new appliances such as DVD players with fewer standby lights.
The Sun (2014)
When he was named in a previous squad it was specifically as a standby player, but the county are leaving options open this time.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Just switching off standby lights can save 75 to 100 a year.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Belgium and Italy announced that their air forces would be on standby to fly staff to the Greek islands.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The resulting policy muddle might best be solved by looking to last week's durable goods report, and to an old standby.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But he is on standby to fly to London at a moment's notice to help secure the deal for the superstar striker.
The Sun (2014)
The premise for this reality show was the old parental standby of the family row: 'Just wait until you have a family of your own.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
standby
British English: standby NOUN
A standby is something or someone that is always ready to be used if they are needed.
Canned varieties of beans and pulses are a good standby.
American English: standby
Brazilian Portuguese: apoio
Chinese: 备用物
European Spanish: recurso
French: objet utile en cas de besoin
German: Reserve
Italian: riserva
Japanese: 常備品
Korean: 대기자
European Portuguese: apoio
Latin American Spanish: recurso
British English: standby ADJECTIVE
A standby ticket for something such as the theatre or a plane journey is a cheap ticket that you buy just before the performance starts or the plane takes off, if there are still some seats left.
The travel agency books standby flights to all destinations.