standby

Universal Words noun, adjective noun (plural standbys) noun a person or thing that can always be used if needed, for example if sb/sth else is not available or if there is an emergency: I always keep a pizza in the freezer as a standby * a standby electricity generator * Wilson has been called into the squad as a standby * A dark suit is a useful standby for any formal occasion IDIOMS on standby 1 ready to do sth immediately if needed or asked: The emergency services were put on standby after a bomb warning. * As the level of the water rose, villages were put on evacuation standby. * The troops are on 24-hour standby (= ready to move at an time of the day or night). 2 ready to travel or go somewhere if a ticket or sth that is needed suddenly becomes available: He was put on standby for the flight to New York. adjective [onlybeforenoun] a standby ticket for a flight, theatre, etc. cannot be bought in advance and is only available a very short time before the plane leaves or the performance starts: a standby ticket / passenger