buffer

/ˈbʌfər/
verb
  1. To protect something from harm, shock, or unwanted change by reducing its impact.
    • The new policy is designed to buffer small businesses from sudden tax increases.
    • They planted shrubs to buffer the garden from strong winds.
    • Wearing a helmet can buffer your head from the force of a fall.
  2. To temporarily store data in a buffer while it is being processed or transferred.
    • When you download a file, the system buffers it in memory before saving it.
    • The video player buffers the next few seconds of the movie to avoid stuttering.
    • The software buffers audio data so that playback remains smooth.
Antonyms
noun
  1. Something that helps protect against harm, shock, or unwanted change by absorbing impact or reducing the effect.
    • Trees along the highway serve as a buffer against noise from traffic.
    • Having a good support system can be a buffer during stressful times.
    • The savings account acted as a buffer against unexpected expenses.
  2. A temporary storage area in a computer's memory used to hold data while it is being moved from one place to another.
    • When you stream a movie, the app fills a buffer to prevent interruptions.
    • The printer uses a buffer to store documents before printing them.
    • The video keeps pausing because the buffer is still loading.
  3. A solution that resists changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added.
    • The chemist added a buffer to the solution to prevent it from becoming too acidic.
    • Blood contains natural buffers that help maintain a constant pH level.
    • In the lab, we used a buffer to keep the pH stable during the experiment.
What does "buffer" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean