Meaning & use
standby
A person or thing kept ready to be used if the usual choice fails or is unavailable.
See it in a sentence
We kept a spare generator on standby in case the power went out during the storm.
She flew standby, hoping a seat would open up on the fully booked flight.
A note on using this word
Standby is often used as an adjective before a noun, as in standby generator or standby passenger.
Words with a similar meaning
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Make it your own
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