by

Meanings

1. 1
   prep

   Near or next to.

   The mailbox is by the bus stop.

2. 2
   prep

   From one side of something to the other, passing close by; past.

   The stream runs by our back door.

3. 3
   prep

   Not later than (the given time); not later than the end of (the given time interval).

   Be back by ten o'clock!.

4. 4
   prep

   Indicates the person or thing that does or causes something: Through the action or presence of.

   The matter was decided by the chairman.

5. 5
   prep

   Indicates the creator of a work: Existing through the authorship etc. of.

   There are many well-known plays by William Shakespeare

6. 6
   prep

   Indicates a means of achieving something: Involving/using the means of.

   I'd know you anywhere by your gravelly voice.

7. 7
   prep

   Indicates an authority according to which something is done.

   By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife.

8. 8
   prep

   Indicates a means of classification or organisation.

   I sorted the items by category.

Etymology

From Middle English by, bi, from Old English bī (“by; near; around”), from Proto-West Germanic *bī, from Proto-Germanic *bi (“near; by; around; about”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁epi. Cognate with West Frisian by (“by; near”), Afrikaans by (“at; by; near”), Saterland Frisian bie (“near; by”), Dutch bij (“near; by”), German Low German bi (“by; near; at”), German bei (“by; near; at”).