buttress

1 of 2

noun

but·​tress ˈbə-trəs 

1

architecture : a projecting structure of masonry or wood for supporting or giving stability to a wall or building

2

: something that resembles a buttress: such as

a

: a projecting part of a mountain or hill

b

biology : a horny protuberance on a horse's hoof at the heel see hoof illustration

c

botany : the broadened base of a tree trunk or a thickened vertical part of it

3

: something that supports or strengthens

a buttress of the cause of peace

buttressed

ˈbə-trəst 

adjective

Illustration of buttress

• buttress 1

buttress

2 of 2

verb

buttressed; buttressing; buttresses

transitive verb

architecture : to give support or stability to (a wall or building) with a projecting structure of masonry or wood : to furnish or shore up with a buttress (see buttress entry 1 sense 1)

also : support, strengthen

arguments buttressed by solid facts

Did you know?

The word buttress first budded in the world of architecture during the 14th century, when it was used to describe an exterior support that projects from a wall to resist the sideways force, called thrust, created by the load on an arch or roof. The word ultimately comes from the Anglo-French verb buter, meaning "to thrust." Buter is also the source of our verb butt, meaning "to thrust, push, or strike with the head or horns." Buttress developed figurative use relatively soon after its adoption, being applied to anything that supports or strengthens something else. No buts about it: the world would not be the same without buttresses.

Synonyms

Noun

• anchor
• dependence
• dependance
• mainstay
• pillar
• reliance
• standby

Verb

• bear
• bolster
• brace
• carry
• prop (up)
• shore (up)
• stay
• support
• sustain
• undergird
• underpin
• uphold

Examples of buttress in a Sentence

Noun

the mother had always been the buttress of our family in trying times

after the wall collapsed, the construction company agreed to rebuild it with a buttress

Verb

The treaty will buttress the cause of peace.

The theory has been buttressed by the results of the experiment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The likes of that front-end logo, flying buttresses, and unique silhouette are all shared by both, and TWR upholds its longstanding association with the Jaguar brand by adhering to the design elements that set it apart. —New Atlas, 5 Jan. 2025

The chapel reflected the Gothic Revival style with a high gabled slate roof, long, narrow Gothic arched windows with limestone surround and brick turret buttresses at the corners, according to the St. Joseph Historic Area Preservation Plan from 1991. —Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024

Verb

This buttresses the claim of how vital PVOD is, even if its often early streaming release (in this case after six weekends, later than usual for Universal) seems to intrude on theatrical play. —Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2025

But Barkley buttressed the team with his own brand of authority. —Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English butres, from Anglo-French (arche) boteraz thrusting (arch), ultimately from buter to thrust — more at butt entry 3

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing buttress

• flying buttress

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Kids Definition

buttress

1 of 2 noun

but·​tress ˈbə-trəs 

1

: a structure built against a wall or building to give support and strength

2

: something that supports, props, or strengthens

buttress

2 of 2 verb

: to support with or as if with a buttress