1. Floats that are moored in water to mark a location, to warn of danger, or to indicate a navigational channel: The coastal city replaced the buoys that were lost during the severe storm.
2. Etymology: From Old High German bouhhan, "buoy", and is elated to "beacon".

The term also exists in French bouee, Italian boia, and Spanish boya.

1. To keep afloat or aloft: Jim saw a glider buoyed up in the sky by air currents.
2. To inspire or to encourage: The football team was buoyed up for the game because they were all in good physical condition and they were convinced by their coach that they had a very good chance of winning the championship.