buffer

The word “buffer” means something that cushions or absorbs the impact between two things, physically or figuratively. In plain terms, something that softens an impact or shock — whether that's money, distance, chemistry, or streaming video.

“Buffer” is pronounced BUH-fuh (/ˈbʌfəɹ/ in IPA).

Here is “buffer” used in a sentence: “The savings account acted as a buffer against unexpected expenses.”

Depending on how it is used, “buffer” can be a noun and a verb.

“Buffer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

“Buffer” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something that cushions or absorbs the impact between two things, physically or figuratively.

A buffer is a temporary storage area that holds data before it is processed or transferred, often to smooth out differences in speed between systems, while a cache stores frequently used data to speed up future access. Buffers are typically about timing and flow, whereas caches are about reuse and retrieval speed.

In chemistry, a buffer is a solution that resists changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added. In everyday language, a buffer is anything that cushions or absorbs impact between two things, whether that's a physical object or a situation, such as a person acting as a buffer in an argument.

As a verb, "buffer" means to lessen or absorb the impact of something, as in "savings can buffer a family against sudden expenses." It's used both literally, for physical cushioning, and figuratively, for softening emotional or financial shocks.