The word buffer has several meanings:

1. Something that softens an impact or creates space between two things. When movers wrap furniture in blankets, those blankets act as a buffer to protect against scratches and bumps. A buffer zone between two countries is an area that helps prevent conflicts from spreading. If you keep a buffer of extra time before an appointment, you won't feel rushed if something unexpected happens.
2. A chemical solution that resists changes in acidity. Scientists use pH buffers in experiments to keep conditions stable. Your blood contains natural buffers that help maintain the right balance of acids in your body.
3. In computers, a temporary storage area that holds information while it's being transferred. When you stream a video, your device downloads a few seconds ahead into a buffer so the video plays smoothly even if your internet connection briefly slows down. The spinning circle you see when a video pauses to load means the buffer is filling up again.

The core idea connects all these meanings: a buffer is something that stands between two things to prevent problems, whether that's physical damage, chemical changes, or interruptions in data flow.