- 1a thing or person that reduces a shock or protects someone or something against difficulties buffer (against something) Support from family and friends acts as a buffer against stress. buffer (between something and something) She often had to act as a buffer between father and son. a buffer state (= a small country between two powerful states that helps keep peace between them) a buffer zone (= an area of land between two opposing armies or countries)
- 2(computing) an area in a computer's memory where data can be stored for a short time
Check pronunciation: buffer