buoyancy
noun
buoy·an·cy
ˈbȯi-ən(t)-sē 
ˈbü-yən(t)-
1
a
: the tendency of a body to float or to rise when submerged in a fluid
testing an object's buoyancy
b
chemistry
: the power of a fluid to exert an upward force on a body placed in it
the buoyancy of water
also
: the upward force exerted
2
: the ability to recover quickly from depression or discouragement : resilience
his buoyancy of spirit
3
: the property of maintaining a satisfactorily high level (as of prices or economic activity)
betting that the economy will maintain its buoyancy
Examples of buoyancy in a Sentence
the natural buoyancy of cork
The swimmer is supported by the water's buoyancy.
We hope that the economy will maintain its buoyancy.
Recent Examples on the Web
By rearranging a few key details, losing some vestigial supporting characters and refocusing the story on a Black family learning to come together, the proceedings gain hilarity, buoyancy and resonance.
—
Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
Despite the gravity of subjects in Kaveh Akbar’s Martyr!, which include addiction and an obsession with the metaphysical, what makes the novel feel light is its bravado, buoyancy, and innovative form.
—Francine Prose, The New York Review of Books, 28 Mar. 2024
Over the history of plate tectonics on Earth, a vast amount of oceanic crust has been recycled back into the mantle through subduction while the continents have been able to (mostly) resist this because of their thickness and buoyancy.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024
Wear a visible hat, take a tow float and consider a thermal wet suit for buoyancy.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024
The happy yellow flower clusters do indeed resemble bells, sure to add buoyancy to your garden and leave all your visitors walking away cheerfully.
—Marissa Wu, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2024
However, this requires you to add buoyancy to compensate for the extra weight, says Baker, which increases the bulk of the vehicle.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Mar. 2024
Though their slick and moody pop-R&B waded through fleeting pleasures and late-night murmurings, there was still a touch of buoyancy that allowed the sun to rise the next day.
—Teta Alim, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023
The change of circumstances gives the new songs a kind of buoyancy.
—Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023
Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
Despite the gravity of subjects in Kaveh Akbar’s Martyr!, which include addiction and an obsession with the metaphysical, what makes the novel feel light is its bravado, buoyancy, and innovative form.
—Francine Prose, The New York Review of Books, 28 Mar. 2024
Over the history of plate tectonics on Earth, a vast amount of oceanic crust has been recycled back into the mantle through subduction while the continents have been able to (mostly) resist this because of their thickness and buoyancy.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024
Wear a visible hat, take a tow float and consider a thermal wet suit for buoyancy.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024
The happy yellow flower clusters do indeed resemble bells, sure to add buoyancy to your garden and leave all your visitors walking away cheerfully.
—Marissa Wu, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2024
However, this requires you to add buoyancy to compensate for the extra weight, says Baker, which increases the bulk of the vehicle.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Mar. 2024
Though their slick and moody pop-R&B waded through fleeting pleasures and late-night murmurings, there was still a touch of buoyancy that allowed the sun to rise the next day.
—Teta Alim, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023
The change of circumstances gives the new songs a kind of buoyancy.
—Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buoyancy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near buoyancy
Cite this Entry
“Buoyancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buoyancy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
buoyancy
noun
buoy·an·cy
ˈbȯi-ən-sē
ˈbü-yən-
1
: the tendency of a body to float or to rise when in a fluid
the buoyancy of a cork in water
2
: the power of a fluid to put an upward force on a body placed in it
the buoyancy of seawater
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