How to Use standby in a Sentence

standby

1 of 4 noun
  • More police officers were sent as standbys.
  • We bought an electric generator as a standby.
  • The old standby for backup is to copy your files to a disc.
    PCMAG, 31 Mar. 2022
  • One of the old 'lucky to be down just 11' quarters for the Celtics, an old standby.
    Nicole Yang, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2022
  • The bride and groom had a Range Rover on standby in case the tractor broke down.
    Maureen MacKey, Fox News, 16 July 2023
  • Willis is on standby to step in if Tannehill can’t play.
    Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 29 Oct. 2022
  • These stretchy standbys aren’t just for downward dog these days.
    Rena Behar, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2023
  • Once the men were down, Birmingham Fire and Rescue was on standby to check them out.
    Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 10 Aug. 2022
  • Police went to a residence Feb. 5 to standby while items were removed from the home.
    cleveland, 12 Feb. 2021
  • And, while standing the watch, the MH-65 Dolphin helicopters have got to be ready, on a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week standby.
    Craig Hooper, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2022
  • With guns in hand and police dog on standby, officers make their way up the stairs to the suspect and handcuff him.
    David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2022
  • Glover sent in two civil-disturbance units and kept a third on standby.
    Peter Hermann, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Jan. 2021
  • John Jellison, a standby for the mayor, used the down time to learn 90 classical songs.
    Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2021
  • In that case, the first line of defense against sweat is our old standby: antiperspirant.
    Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, 21 June 2022
  • Nancy’s serves seafood shack standbys and Mediterranean fare right on the harbor.
    Remy Tumin, New York Times, 29 June 2023
  • Heat and food sources have been placed throughout the store to draw her out and a veterinarian is on standby.
    Neelam Bohra and Christina Zdanowicz, CNN, 7 July 2021
  • The first valuation ratio is the old standby known as the PE ratio, price to earnings.
    Brent Wilsey, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2021
  • So break out of the average pie rut this year with one of the recipes below and fall in love with this Thanksgiving standby all over again.
    Sunset Magazine, 20 Nov. 2022
  • The school district has two buses of volunteers on standby ready to help with the search if needed, according to the post.
    Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 7 May 2023
  • Folks will have to standby to find out if Ellen will give them new episodes for just one more installment or if the end of the show is really here.
    Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 7 Jan. 2022
  • So when patients began falling ill with the new coronavirus last year, doctors around the world turned to the old standby.
    New York Times, 17 Apr. 2021
  • Apparently the old standby of sweat and rosin works pretty well, too.
    Tim Dahlberg, Star Tribune, 26 June 2021
  • The North Slope has patrols on standby in case bears come close; three villages have active patrols now, Hepa said.
    Gene Johnson, Mark Thiessen, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Jan. 2023
  • As explained by Honse, that piece no longer switches the power off to the controller when the Steam Deck’s on standby, causing the device to lose power.
    Emma Roth, The Verge, 12 Feb. 2023
  • Gas plants are running full-steam to catch up, and some scarcely used coal stations have been brought on standby, although they haven’t been used yet.
    Quartz, 13 Dec. 2022
  • Method 3: Storing cut apples in lemon water The old standby—a little fresh lemon juice mixed with water—is my go-to method.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2023
  • More than anything, the Chicago Assembly workers will be on standby for a call to be the next plant to strike, if needed, Pena said.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
  • The program offers guests the chance to sign up to be on standby to cruise on eligible sailings for just $49 per person per day.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Dec. 2023
  • The Texas Department of Transportation is planning to have tow trucks on standby to deal with any incidents.
    Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024
  • Tired of serving the crowd traditional standbys like ham and eggs, chef Fred Schmidt developed the now famous sandwich.
    Robin Roenker, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024
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standby

2 of 4 adjective
  • The home button is gone and the Touch ID sensor is found at the top, in the standby button.
    Chris Smith, BGR, 12 June 2021
  • The other comes from the iPad — moving Touch ID to the standby button.
    Chris Smith, BGR, 13 Jan. 2022
  • Charging takes about three hours and the battery can last up to 20 hours in standby mode.
    Gregg Ellman, Star Tribune, 7 July 2021
  • Auto standby mode kicks in when the A-3s are not in use for five minutes.
    Gregg Ellman, Star Tribune, 17 Mar. 2021
  • Besides the LEDs and a red standby light, there’s nothing else to show the Cyrus is working.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2021
  • Quick calls to seniors on a standby list had those gone in minutes.
    Jeremy Olson, Star Tribune, 11 Feb. 2021
  • The tablet was the first iPad to feature a fingerprint button in the standby button.
    Chris Smith, BGR, 8 Mar. 2022
  • The run is now sold out, but standby tickets are available via the website.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2022
  • Probably best just to set your brains to standby mode and focus on the fireworks.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 26 Sep. 2023
  • Counties are on standby in case they’re needed to help.
    Naseem S. Miller, orlandosentinel.com, 28 Dec. 2020
  • More: Want to get on a vaccine standby list in Indiana?
    Emily Hopkins, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Feb. 2021
  • The health system is on standby, people and resources are on call and supply chains are stocked.
    Matthew Brockett, Bloomberg.com, 15 Dec. 2020
  • While the screenings are already sold out, there will be standby lines available.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2024
  • The ride doesn’t have a typical standby line, and spots in the virtual queue go quickly on busy days.
    Valerie Marino, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Sep. 2021
  • Then, on the days without the service, plan to ride the attractions that only offer a standby line.
    Megan Dubois, Chron, 1 Apr. 2023
  • In standby mode, the élégante will stay running for a staggering 18 years.
    Carol Besler, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
  • The clinic did not return messages about its standby process.
    Emily Woodruff, NOLA.com, 16 Jan. 2021
  • According to the Shein website, customers must wait in a standby line to enter.
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 9 Aug. 2023
  • At Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, bypassing the standby line will cost you an extra $20 on most days.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2023
  • The response to the event has been intense: Tickets were quickly snapped up, with nearly 500 people on a standby list to get one.
    Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2022
  • Free advance tickets are required, and there will be no standby list.
    Washington Post, 23 July 2021
  • Old standby Jack Black takes the body wash game to the next level with a more elevated scent that smells more like a fancy cologne than a body wash.
    Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 17 Nov. 2022
  • This time the discovery was an old standby theme popularized in movies: snakes on a plane!
    Forrest Brown, CNN, 6 Jan. 2023
  • Also, don't forget about the good old standby - caffeine!
    Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2022
  • Better safe than sorry, dive teams and boats were on standby in case of emergency.
    Dan Gelston, ajc, 9 Aug. 2021
  • Silver flashers do well in Summit, in addition to the standby jigs.
    John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Feb. 2023
  • Refrigerated trucks were on standby, ready to store the dead.
    Brian Melley, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Jan. 2021
  • My dad wasn’t supposed to be on that flight — he was scheduled for a flight later that day but was able to get on Flight 191 at the last minute as a standby passenger.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2022
  • If standby Nigerian dishes (things like jollof, suya, and amala) seem too predictable for your taste buds, Ìtàn is your best bet.
    Vincent Desmond, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2021
  • The pen even features a standby mode for additional safety.
    Erica Puisis, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024
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standby

3 of 4 adverb
  • Currently, travelers must pay a $75 fee to fly standby.
    Susan Glaser, cleveland, 31 Aug. 2020
  • Flying standby on the same day and putting frequent flier miles back into loyalty accounts are becoming free benefits, too.
    Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Dec. 2020
  • Alaska Airlines only allows certain tickets to fly standby, including refundable main cabin tickets and first class tickets.
    Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2020
  • Allied Pilots Association spokesman Dennis Tajer said there is also an unusually high number of pilots working standby in recent months.
    Kyle Arnold, chicagotribune.com, 3 Sep. 2020
  • According to the JetBlue website, customers with travel planned between September 5 and September 17 can rebook or travel standby without paying additional fees.
    Natasha Bach, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2017
  • Currently, travelers must pay a $75 fee to fly standby.
    Susan Glaser, cleveland, 31 Aug. 2020
  • Flying standby on the same day and putting frequent flier miles back into loyalty accounts are becoming free benefits, too.
    Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Dec. 2020
  • Alaska Airlines only allows certain tickets to fly standby, including refundable main cabin tickets and first class tickets.
    Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2020
  • Allied Pilots Association spokesman Dennis Tajer said there is also an unusually high number of pilots working standby in recent months.
    Kyle Arnold, chicagotribune.com, 3 Sep. 2020
  • According to the JetBlue website, customers with travel planned between September 5 and September 17 can rebook or travel standby without paying additional fees.
    Natasha Bach, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2017
  • Currently, travelers must pay a $75 fee to fly standby.
    Susan Glaser, cleveland, 31 Aug. 2020
  • Flying standby on the same day and putting frequent flier miles back into loyalty accounts are becoming free benefits, too.
    Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Dec. 2020
  • Alaska Airlines only allows certain tickets to fly standby, including refundable main cabin tickets and first class tickets.
    Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2020
  • Allied Pilots Association spokesman Dennis Tajer said there is also an unusually high number of pilots working standby in recent months.
    Kyle Arnold, chicagotribune.com, 3 Sep. 2020
  • According to the JetBlue website, customers with travel planned between September 5 and September 17 can rebook or travel standby without paying additional fees.
    Natasha Bach, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2017
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stand by

4 of 4 verb
  • The team that’s going to make breach needs to stand by.
    Shimon Prokupecz, CNN, 20 Oct. 2022
  • In 1941, the world stood by and did nothing as Jews were marched to the ovens at Auschwitz.
    David Epstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2024
  • Leave the bark in place and stand by to see how the tree leafs out over the next couple of weeks.
    Neil Sperry, San Antonio Express-News, 18 Mar. 2022
  • Politicians in the state, from Pritzker on down, stood by the law.
    Shannon Heffernan, USA TODAY, 1 Aug. 2024
  • There are friends, but then there are friends that stand the test of time and that stand by your side.
    Emily Burack, Town & Country, 3 May 2022
  • The Arizona study’s lead authors stand by their work, and so does the CDC.
    David Zweig, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2021
  • The footage shows the dog biting the man's ankles as the officers stand by.
    Chris Harris, PEOPLE.com, 27 Sep. 2021
  • Her then-husband stood by her side, unaware of the truth.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Either way, we'll be tuned in and standing by to see how this plays out.
    Giana Levy, refinery29.com, 29 Oct. 2024
  • For too long, the FCC stood by the wayside as newspapers across the country closed by the dozen.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Travis was in attendance and stood by her father in the VIP tent.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 25 June 2024
  • His widow, Jeanne Garrison, stood by a fence at the edge of the playground and watched as the church burned.
    Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Apr. 2023
  • Two of his younger siblings, both in their 80s, stood by and looked on silently.
    Mari Yamaguchi, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2023
  • Now that a couple of months have passed, does Jason still stand by this picks?
    Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 31 May 2022
  • Thank you for standing by me, for your support, your love.
    Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 14 Dec. 2023
  • So many knew this was going on for years, yet stood by and didn’t do anything.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2024
  • Will your statement still stand by Friday, that these hearings will blow the roof off the house?
    CBS News, 10 July 2022
  • Three people stand by them, with one pointing and smiling down at the twins.
    Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE.com, 6 Nov. 2021
  • Flat Earth is their family, the circle of friends who stand by them.
    Kelly Weill, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2022
  • Phillips, of course, stands by the Cartier London Crash.
    Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2023
  • While the rest of them wait their turn at the buffet, her mother stands by the windows, squinting out at the view.
    Clare Sestanovich, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
  • Responding to the ruling, Jane Doe’s lawyer says his client stands by her claims.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2024
  • Instead, on June 26, Matrafailo was the first person called to the stand by the defense.
    Seth Harp, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2021
  • To test how risky a location is, stand by the feeder and look at your windows.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2024
  • Even though plus-size women have waited long enough, the only thing left to do is stand by idly.
    Ana Escalante, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2022
  • Our union and our sister unions and the unions around the world are standing by us, as well as other labor unions.
    William Earl, Variety, 13 July 2023
  • The Ravens, for now, are standing by their longtime kicker.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Of course, a tremendous defensive stand by Michigan sealed the deal.
    Zac Al-Khateeb, Detroit Free Press, 2 Jan. 2024
  • And neither can police stand by and watch in the event of trouble, no matter how young the assailant.
    Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023
  • Netflix continues to stand by the film and believes that, with all things considered, the verdict was a favorable result.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'standby.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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