detour

1 of 2

noun

de·​tour ˈdē-ˌtu̇r 

 also  di-ˈtu̇r

: a deviation from a direct course or the usual procedure

especially : a roundabout way temporarily replacing part of a route

detour

2 of 2

verb

detoured; detouring; detours

intransitive verb

: to proceed by a detour

detour around road construction

transitive verb

1

: to send by a circuitous route

detour traffic around an accident

2

: to avoid by going around : bypass

detour an accident site

Synonyms

Noun

• deflection
• departure
• deviation
• divagation
• divergence
• divergency
• diversion

Verb

• bypass
• circumnavigate
• circumvent
• skirt

Examples of detour in a Sentence

Noun

After a number of unexpected detours, we finally arrived at our destination.

The little restaurant is worth a detour.

We had to make a detour around the heaviest traffic.

We took a detour from the main streets.

The road is closed ahead, so traffic will have to follow the detour.

Verb

We detoured around the heaviest traffic.

A police officer was detouring traffic around the scene of the accident.

Traffic will be detoured to 72nd Street.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Texas crew are finally back at the ranch now (what was even the point of that whole narrative detour to the Four Sixes?), and Teeter is still processing the loss of Colby. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2024

While his tenure delivered bold moves, his exit reminds us that even the best drivers sometimes face unexpected detours. —Neil Winton, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Verb

Route 55 will detour off of Layton Avenue between 60th & 68th Street from 6 a.m. on July 24 to 6 a.m. on July 29. —Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 24 July 2024

Starting July 15, the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail will be detoured to the north along the east side of Pleasant Valley Road, continuing west on Canterbury Street and finish South on Pedernales and Holly streets. —Ines Chomnalez, Austin American-Statesman, 26 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French détour, from Old French destor, from destorner to divert, from des- de- + torner to turn — more at turn

First Known Use

Noun

1738, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1836, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

detour

1 of 2 noun

de·​tour ˈdē-ˌtu̇(ə)r 

 also  di-ˈtu̇(ə)r

: a departure from a direct course or the usual procedure

especially : a roundabout way temporarily replacing a regular route

detour

2 of 2 verb

: to send or proceed by a detour

detour traffic around an accident