standby
noun [ C ]
(also stand-by) uk/ˈstændbaɪ/ usplural standbysa person or thing that is available and that can be used when necessary, if another person or thing is not available, or in an emergency:
They manufacture portable GPS systems which can be used as an emergency standby.
TRANSPORT (also standby ticket)
a cheap ticket sold just before a flight or a performance if there is a seat available
fly standby
TRANSPORT
to travel by plane using a ticket that cannot be bought in advance, but that becomes available just before the plane is due to leave:
Employees at some airlines can fly for free if they fly standby.
on standby
ready to be used or to do something if necessary:
They have 700 gritters and snow ploughs on 24-hour standby in order to prepare for the freezing temperatures.
leave sth on standby You should make sure that electrical goods are not left on standby, because it wastes energy.
remain/be put on standby Economists are remaining on standby for the all-important employment report for August.
TRANSPORT
a person who is on standby is ready to travel on a plane immediately if a ticket becomes available:
The salesmen book the cheapest flight they can find on the day they want to fly, then go to wait on standby for the flight they really want to get aboard.
standby
adjective [ before noun ]
(also stand-by) uk/ˈstændbaɪ/ usready to be used if necessary:
a standby generator
If the computer is left undisturbed for five minutes, it goes into standby mode.
The phone offers up to four hours of talk time and 106 hours of standby time.
ECONOMICS
relating to extra money that a country can borrow from the International Monetary Fund if it has serious financial difficulties:
a standby agreement/arrangement/loan
standby credit
sold just before a flight or a performance if there is a seat available:
a standby flight/seat