standby

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A state of being ready to act at any moment if needed.

   The fire crew was on standby all night.

2. 2
   adj

   Kept ready to be used in an emergency.

   The hospital has a standby generator in case of a power cut.

3. 3
   noun

   Something or someone reliable that you can always turn to when needed.

   That recipe is an old standby for busy weeknights.

4. 4
   noun

   A low-power mode in which a device waits to be switched on fully.

   Leave the television on standby overnight.

Deverbal from stand by.

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