route
root
Route (noun) means the path or course taken to get from one place to another. Example: “We took the scenic route along the coast.”
noun
1
The path or course taken to get from one place to another.
"We took the scenic route along the coast."
"The delivery driver has the same route every day."
"Our bus route takes us past the park and the library."
2
A particular method or approach chosen out of several possible options.
"She decided to take the legal route rather than negotiate directly."
"Retraining as a nurse was the quickest route into a stable career."
"Many students choose the apprenticeship route instead of going straight to university."
verb
1
To direct something along a specific path.
"The airline routed the flight around the storm."
"Calls are automatically routed to the nearest available agent."
"We routed all the complaints through one team so nothing got lost."
How to use route
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA path from one place to another, or figuratively, one way of approaching a problem.
UK vs US
Americans often pronounce it "root," while Britons typically say "rowt" — both are standard in their own dialects.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
scenic route
delivery route
take a different route
route through
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Word forms
- Plural
- routes
- Third person singular
- routes
- Past tense
- routed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We took the scenic _____ along the coast.
Etymology
From Old French route, from Latin rupta (via) — literally "a path made by force," from rumpere ("to break").
Related words
Rhymes for route
See all rhymes for route →Frequently asked questions
What does “route” mean?
The word “route” means the path or course taken to get from one place to another. In plain terms, a path from one place to another, or figuratively, one way of approaching a problem.
How do you pronounce “route”?
“Route” is pronounced root (/ɹut/ in IPA).
How do you use “route” in a sentence?
Here is “route” used in a sentence: “We took the scenic route along the coast.”
What part of speech is “route”?
Depending on how it is used, “route” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “route” come from?
The word “route” comes from Latin. From Old French route, from Latin rupta (via) — literally "a path made by force," from rumpere ("to break").
Is “route” a common word?
“Route” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “route” have?
“Route” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the path or course taken to get from one place to another.
What is the difference between a route and a road?
A road is the physical strip of paved ground that vehicles travel on. A route is the overall path you take, which may run along several roads, streets, or paths to reach your destination. You choose a route; you drive on a road. A single route can link many roads together.
How do you pronounce route?
Route has two accepted pronunciations: "root," which rhymes with boot, and "rowt," which rhymes with out. British speakers usually say "root," while American speakers use either, though "rowt" is common in the US, especially for a delivery route. Both pronunciations are correct.
What are the different types of routes?
Routes come in many forms: a driving route between towns, a bus or train route along fixed stops, a flight route across the sky, a hiking or cycling route, and a shipping route at sea. Each describes the particular course taken from a starting point to a destination.
What is an example of a route?
The path your satnav draws from home to work is a route, as is a bus service's fixed line of stops, a hiker's trail up a mountain, or a plane's flight path. Each is a chosen course from one place to another, which is the everyday meaning of the word.
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