Standby/ˈstændbaɪ/nounSomeone or something that is ready to be used immediately when needed.We have a generator on standby in case the power goes out. Often appears as...on standby standby power Definition 1 of 4Pro Tip 1/2Emergency Preparedness Refers to items or people ready for quick deployment in crisis situations. The emergency services team is on standby during the hurricane season. Pro Tip 2/2Always Available Standby denotes something constantly ready to be accessed or activated. Our technical support team is on standby 24/7 to help with any issues.