bypass

1 of 2

noun

by·​pass ˈbī-ˌpas 

1

: a passage to one side

especially : a deflected route usually around a town

2

a

: a channel carrying a fluid around a part and back to the main stream

b(1)

: shunt sense 1b

(2)

: shunt sense 1c

also : a surgical procedure for the establishment of a shunt

have a coronary bypass

bypass

2 of 2

verb

bypassed; bypassing; bypasses

transitive verb

1

a

: to avoid by means of a bypass

bypass a congested area

b

: to cause to follow a bypass

2

a

: to neglect or ignore usually intentionally

b

: circumvent

attempting to bypass the law

Synonyms

Verb

• circumnavigate
• circumvent
• detour
• skirt

Examples of bypass in a Sentence

Noun

The bridge is being rebuilt so we'll have to take the bypass.

Verb

To bypass the city, take the highway that circles it.

Is there a way to bypass the bridge construction?

He bypassed the manager and talked directly to the owner.

She managed to bypass the usual paperwork.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2004, Clinton underwent a quadruple bypass operation at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and returned to the same hospital in 2010 for another heart procedure, during which two stents were inserted into a coronary artery. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

The cost of the bypass is $30.5 million, city officials said. —Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 20 Dec. 2024

Verb

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office is launching an investigation into employees’ use of Google Chat after critics claimed the auto-deleting messages allowed officials to bypass their own policy and the California Public Records Act. —Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Dec. 2024

Unsuspecting visitors might bypass Little Moir's Food Shack, but locals are more than happy to wait for a table. —Kara Franker, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bypass

• coronary artery bypass
• coronary artery bypass graft
• coronary artery bypass grafting
• coronary bypass
• coronary bypass graft
• coronary bypass grafting
• gastric bypass

Kids Definition

bypass

1 of 2 noun

by·​pass ˈbī-ˌpas 

: a passage to one side or around a blocked or very crowded area

bypass

2 of 2 verb

: to make a detour around

bypass a city

Medical Definition

bypass

noun

by·​pass ˈbī-ˌpas 

: a surgically established shunt

cardiopulmonary bypass of blood from the right atrium to the aorta

also : a surgical procedure for the establishment of a shunt

Note: When a bypass is performed on more than one coronary artery or branch, the number of times (double, triple, etc.) is often specified.

I was immediately scheduled for a triple bypass, but they decided to try an angioplasty.

—Terry Todd, Sports Illustrated

see coronary artery bypass, gastric bypass, jejunoileal bypass

bypass transitive verb