bypass
BEYE-pahs
Bypass (noun) means a road built to route traffic around a town or busy area. Example: “The new bypass cut twenty minutes off our drive.”
noun
1
A road built to route traffic around a town or busy area.
"The new bypass cut twenty minutes off our drive."
"Lorries now use the bypass instead of driving through the village centre."
"Traffic on the bypass was slow because of roadworks near the roundabout."
2
A surgical procedure that reroutes blood flow around a blocked or damaged part.
"He had heart bypass surgery last spring."
"The surgeon explained how the bypass would help blood reach his heart."
"My uncle recovered well after his bypass and now walks every day."
verb
1
To avoid something by going around it, or to skip normal procedure.
"The app lets you bypass the login screen with a fingerprint."
"They bypassed the usual paperwork to speed up the deal."
"Drivers can bypass the city centre by taking the ring road."
How to use bypass
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA road, medical route, or shortcut that goes around the normal path.
Common pairings
bypass surgery
a ring road bypass
bypass the system
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Word forms
- Plural
- bypasses
- Third person singular
- bypasses
- Past tense
- bypassed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The new _____ cut twenty minutes off our drive.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of by- + pass — literally a route that "passes by" the main one.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “bypass” mean?
The word “bypass” means a road built to route traffic around a town or busy area. In plain terms, a road, medical route, or shortcut that goes around the normal path.
How do you pronounce “bypass”?
“Bypass” is pronounced BEYE-pahs (/ˈbaɪpæs/ in IPA).
How do you use “bypass” in a sentence?
Here is “bypass” used in a sentence: “The new bypass cut twenty minutes off our drive.”
What part of speech is “bypass”?
Depending on how it is used, “bypass” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “bypass” a common word?
“Bypass” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “bypass” have?
“Bypass” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a road built to route traffic around a town or busy area.
What is the difference between a bypass road and a heart bypass?
A bypass road is built to route traffic around a town or busy area, avoiding congestion. A heart or surgical bypass is a medical procedure that reroutes blood flow around a blocked or damaged part of the body. Both share the core idea of going around an obstruction, one for traffic and one for the body.
How is "bypass" used as a verb in everyday speech?
As a verb, "bypass" means to avoid something by going around it, or to skip normal procedure, as in "they bypassed the usual approval process." It's used both literally, for physical routes, and figuratively, for skipping steps or rules.
Is "bypass" only used in traffic and medical contexts?
No, while traffic and medical procedures are the most common uses, "bypass" as a verb applies broadly to any situation where someone avoids an obstacle or skips a standard step, such as bypassing a firewall or bypassing bureaucracy.
