VocabDictionary

bypass

/ˈbaɪ.pæs/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A road built around a town or congested area to relieve traffic; an alternative route.

Example Sentences:
  • The new bypass has significantly reduced traffic congestion through the town center.
  • Take the southern bypass to avoid the city's morning rush hour.
2.noun

A surgical operation in which a new passage is created to channel blood or other fluids around a blocked or damaged section.

Example Sentences:
  • He successfully underwent a triple heart bypass surgery last year.
  • Doctors performed a gastric bypass to help her manage severe health issues.
3.verb

To go past or round an obstacle, place, or system; to ignore or intentionally avoid a rule, procedure, or authority.

Example Sentences:
  • We can bypass the town by taking the highway.
  • She tried to bypass the traditional approval process to get the project funded faster.
Share & Learn With Friends

Share “bypass” with study groups, classmates, or on your social channels.

English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “bypass”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the combination of the preposition 'by' (meaning near or passing close to) and the verb 'pass'. It originated in the mid-19th century initially as a noun referring to a secondary channel or pipe, and later evolved in the 20th century to describe roads circumventing congested areas and surgical procedures routing blood around blocked vessels.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'BY' (passing near something) and 'PASS' (going forward)—you pass *by* and avoid the main obstacle entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions About “bypass

1. What is the meaning of “bypass” in English?

In English, bypass (noun) is defined as: “A road built around a town or congested area to relieve traffic; an alternative route.”.

2. How do you use “bypass” in a sentence?

The new bypass has significantly reduced traffic congestion through the town center.

3. What are English synonyms of “bypass”?

Common synonyms include:circumvent,sidestep,avoid,skirt,detour

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “bypass”?

Derived from the combination of the preposition 'by' (meaning near or passing close to) and the verb 'pass'. It originated in the mid-19th century initially as a noun referring to a secondary channel or pipe, and later evolved in the 20th century to describe roads circumventing congested areas and surgical procedures routing blood around blocked vessels.