bypass

C1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈbaɪpæs/ UK /ˈbaɪpɑːs/ See IPA manual

Freq #9686

Meanings

1

verb
To avoid or go around something, such as a rule, problem, or place.

We took a back road to bypass the heavy traffic.
2

noun
A road that goes around a town or busy area so traffic does not pass through the center.

The new bypass has made the town center much quieter.
3

noun
A surgical operation that redirects blood around a blocked or damaged part of the body.

He had heart bypass surgery last year.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to avoid or go around... get aroundgo around

2 noun · a road that goes around a... beltway

Word family

Forms bypassedbypassesbypassing

Derived forms antibypassbypassabilitybypassablebypassermicrobypasspostbypassprebypassunbypassed

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

intestinal bypass
a surgical alteration that routes digestive contents around part of the intestine

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Middle English *bypassen, *bipassen (suggested by past participle by-past, bipast), equivalent to by- + pass.

*bypassen Middle English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# bypass

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈbaɪpæs/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈbaɪpɑːs/
**Frequency rank:** 9686

## Meanings
1. To avoid or go around something, such as a rule, problem, or place.
2. A road that goes around a town or busy area so traffic does not pass through the center.
3. A surgical operation that redirects blood around a blocked or damaged part of the body.

## Examples
- We took a back road to bypass the heavy traffic.
- The new bypass has made the town center much quieter.
- He had heart bypass surgery last year.

## Derived Forms
- antibypass
- bypassability
- bypassable
- bypasser
- microbypass
- postbypass
- prebypass
- unbypassed

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *bypassen

## Etymology
From Middle English *bypassen, *bipassen (suggested by past participle by-past, bipast), equivalent to by- + pass.

## AI Etymology
Bypass is from Middle English *bypassen, *bipassen (suggested by past participle by-past, bipast), equivalent to by- + pass. In present-day use, it can mean to avoid or go around something, such as a rule, problem, or place, or a road that goes around a town or busy area so traffic does not pass through the center. Derived formations include antibypass, bypassability, bypassable, bypasser, and microbypass.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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