via
VEYE-uh
Via (prep) means By way of; passing through a particular place on the way somewhere else. Example: “We drove home via the coast road because the motorway was closed.”
prep
1
By way of; passing through a particular place on the way somewhere else.
"We drove home via the coast road because the motorway was closed."
"We flew to Sydney via Singapore."
"The parcel was routed via a warehouse in Leeds."
2
By means of; using a particular method or medium.
"You can follow the match live via the radio or the website."
"She sent the contract via email."
"Payments can be made via bank transfer or card."
noun
1
(electronics) A tiny plated hole in a circuit board that links two or more layers together.
"Each via on the board must be drilled accurately before it is plated."
"A blocked via can stop the signal from reaching the layer underneath."
"The engineer added an extra via to connect the ground planes."
How to use via
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMeans "by way of" or "using" — describing a route or a method.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "vía" as a full word for "road" in English — in everyday English it only survives as this preposition (plus the circuit-board sense).
Common pairings
via email
via satellite
flew via
connect via
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Word forms
- Plural
- vias, viae
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We drove home _____ the coast road because the motorway was closed.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Latin via, "road" — the same root that gives us "voyage" and "convey."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for via
See all rhymes for via →Frequently asked questions
What does “via” mean?
The word “via” means by way of; passing through a particular place on the way somewhere else. In plain terms, means "by way of" or "using" — describing a route or a method.
How do you pronounce “via”?
“Via” is pronounced VEYE-uh (/ˈvaɪə/ in IPA).
How do you use “via” in a sentence?
Here is “via” used in a sentence: “We flew to Sydney via Singapore.”
What part of speech is “via”?
Depending on how it is used, “via” can be a preposition and a noun.
Where does the word “via” come from?
The word “via” comes from Latin. Borrowed directly from Latin via, "road" — the same root that gives us "voyage" and "convey.".
Is “via” a common word?
“Via” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “via” have?
“Via” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: by way of; passing through a particular place on the way somewhere else.
What is the difference between 'via' and 'through'?
Both describe passing by way of somewhere, and they often overlap. 'Via' typically names an intermediate point on a journey — 'we flew to Rome via Paris.' 'Through' stresses movement into and out of a space — 'we drove through the tunnel.' 'Via' marks a stopping point; 'through' marks passage across.
What is an example of 'via'?
'The train to Edinburgh runs via York' means it passes through York on the way. 'Via' can also mean by means of: 'I sent the file via email.' In both uses it points to the route or channel by which something reaches its destination.
Is 'via' a formal word?
'Via' is a short Latin borrowing that feels neutral-to-formal and appears often in travel, logistics, and writing — 'reply via the online form.' In casual speech people say 'by way of,' 'through,' or 'by.' It stays common because it is compact and clear, packing 'by way of' into one word.
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