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General

standby

What does standby mean?

A radio term telling the other station to wait momentarily for a response or for action to be taken.

""Standby for your fire mission — coordinates coming.""

Origin

Standard radiotelephony usage indicating a brief pause; related to the proword 'wait'.

Frequently asked questions

What does "standby" mean on the radio?
It tells the other station to wait a moment for a response or for something to happen. It signals a short, temporary pause rather than the end of the conversation.
Is "standby" the same as "wait"?
They're closely related. Both ask the listener to hold on, though 'standby' often implies you'll get back to them shortly with information or an action.
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.