n.
Function: transitive verb
Date: 1596
1 : to mark by or as if by a buoy
2 a : to keep afloat b : SUPPORT , UPLIFT <an economy buoy ed by the dramatic postwar growth of industry ― Time >
3 : to raise the spirits of ― usually used with up <hope buoy s him up>
intransitive verb : FLOAT ― usually used with up