buffer

BUF-ur/ˈbʌfɚ/UKBUF-uh/ˈbʌfə(ɹ)/BAF-uh/ˈbafə(ɹ)/

22 meanings of buffer

1
nounfigurativelycountable
A space or gap that keeps two things apart so one does not affect the other.
Like an empty seat left between two strangers on a bus.
She scheduled a short buffer between meetings so she would not feel rushed.
A wide strip of trees acts as a buffer between the homes and the highway.
Similarmargin, cushion, gap
2
nouncountable
A padded or spring-loaded part on a train that softens the shock when cars bump together.
Like a bumper on a car that takes the hit in a small crash.
The buffer absorbed the jolt as the wagons coupled together.
Each carriage has a buffer at both ends to cushion impacts.
Note
3
nouncountable
A part of computer memory that holds data for a short time before it moves somewhere else.
Like a waiting room where data sits until it can move on.
The video kept pausing because the buffer ran empty.
Data sits in a buffer until the printer is ready to take it.
Note
4
verbtransitive or intransitive
To hold data in memory for a short time while it waits to be used.
Like saving up water in a bucket so you always have some ready to use.
Streaming apps buffer the next few minutes of video while you watch.
The video started to buffer when the wifi dropped.
Similarcache
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5
nouncountable
A store or routine that smooths out differences in speed when data moves between two devices.
Like a line at a store that lets people arrive faster than the cashier can serve them.
The modem uses a buffer to match the computer's speed to the phone line.
Without a buffer, fast and slow devices cannot share data smoothly.
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6
nouncountable
A neutral area or country that keeps two hostile sides apart to prevent conflict.
Like a soft pad placed between two things that might crash into each other.
The small nation served as a buffer between two larger rivals.
Peacekeepers patrolled the buffer separating the two armies.
Similarbarrier
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7
nouncountable
A liquid mix that keeps acidity steady, even when you add a little acid or base.
Like a sponge that soaks up extra acid so the liquid stays the same.
The lab technician added a buffer to keep the sample from turning more acidic.
Blood contains a natural buffer that holds its acidity steady.
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8
nouncountable
Money saved to use only when problems or hard times come.
Like a spare tire you keep in case one goes flat.
The company kept a cash buffer to survive a slow season.
Having a buffer in the bank helps when unexpected bills arrive.
Similarcushion, reserve
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9
nouncountable
A person or thing that polishes something and makes it shiny.
She rubbed the buffer over her nails until they were shiny.
He got a job as a buffer at a car wash, making the paint on each car shine.
Similarpolisher
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10
nouncountable
A machine with spinning brushes that you push over a hard floor to clean and shine it.
Like a giant electric toothbrush, but for floors.
The janitor guided the buffer slowly across the lobby tiles.
A buffer hummed down the hallway, leaving the floor bright.
Similarpolisher
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11
nouncountable
A small machine used to shine shoes and boots.
Like a car wash, but for your shoes.
He used the buffer to bring a shine to his leather boots.
A coin-operated buffer stood near the hotel entrance.
Similarpolisher
12
nouncountable
A strong barrier at the end of a railway track that stops a train if it does not brake in time.
Like a wall at the end of a parking space that stops your car from rolling off.
The runaway train slammed into the buffer beyond the last platform.
Workers inspected the buffer at the platform's end.
Note
13
nouncountable
A part that keeps two things apart or softens the force between them.
Like a cushion placed between two heavy boxes so they don't bang together.
A felt buffer kept the cabinet door from banging against the frame.
A rubber buffer between the gears stopped them from grinding.
Similarcushion, spacer, pad
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14
verbtransitive
To keep a liquid from becoming too acidic or not acidic enough by adding chemicals.
Like a thermostat that keeps a room from getting too hot or too cold.
Chemists buffer the mixture so its acidity stays the same.
Adding baking soda helps buffer the solution against sudden changes.
Similarstabilize
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15
verbtransitive
To keep one thing from being affected by another, or to soften the effect between them.
Like a pillow that softens a fall.
Savings can buffer a family against sudden money problems.
A line of trees buffers the houses from the highway noise.
Similarshield, protect, cushion, insulate
Oppositeexpose
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16
nouncolloquialcountable
A kind but slow-witted older man, often elderly.
The old buffer next door always waves and tells the same stories.
He's a friendly old buffer who keeps forgetting where he left his glasses.
Similarcodger, duffer, geezer
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17
nounarchaicIreland
A man who fights other men with his fists for sport.
The young buffer trained hard before his first fight.
Such a buffer as Donnelly, / Ereland never again will see.
1821, Pierce Egan (the Elder), BoxianaHere, buffer means a boxer who fights with his fists.
Note
18
noundatedUKcountable
A dog, the four-legged animal that barks and is often kept as a pet.
The buffer wagged its tail and dropped the ball at my feet.
She took her buffer for a walk along the canal.
Similardog, hound, mutt
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19
adjective
Comparative form of buff: more buff. Use this when comparing how muscular two people look.
After a year of lifting weights, he looked buffer than ever.
Her arms got buffer once she started rock climbing.
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20
noun
An electronic part that stops one circuit from disturbing another it connects to.
21
verb
To save a game input so it happens the moment the game allows it.
22
nounslangUK
The main helper to the sailor in charge of a ship's deck crew.

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 9–11, 17, 19

This comes from "buff" plus the ending "-er".

Meanings 1–8, 12–15

It comes from an old verb "buff," meaning to make a dull sound when struck. That came from the Old French word "buffe," meaning a blow.

Meaning 18

In reference to buff leather.