by

preposition

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\ ˈbī

, before consonants also bə \

Definition of by

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : in proximity to : near standing by the window

2a : into the vicinity of and beyond : past went right by him

b : through or through the medium (see medium entry 1 sense 2) of : via enter by the door

c : in the direction of : toward sailed north by east

3a : during the course of studied by night

b : not later than be there by 2 p.m.

4a : through the agency (see agency sense 3) or instrumentality of a poem written by Keats death by firing squad taken by force happened by luck

b : born or begot of had two sons by his first wife one child by her second husband

c : sired or borne by having foals by champion race horses

5 : with the witness or sanction (see sanction entry 1 sense 4c) of swear by all that is holy

6a : in conformity with acted by the rules

b : according to called her by name sold by the pound

7 —used as a function word in multiplication, in division, and in measurements divide a by bmultiply 10 by 4a room 15 feet by 20 feet

8a : with respect to a lawyer by profession

b : on behalf of did right by his children

9 : in or to the amount or extent of win by a nose

b chiefly Scotland : in comparison with : beside

10 —used as a function word to indicate successive units or increments little by littlewalk two by two

11 : in the opinion of : from the point of view of OK by me

by the by or by the bye

: incidentally sense 2

adverb

\ ˈbī

Definition of by (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : past saw him go by

2a : at or to another's home stop by

b : close at hand : near lives close by

3 : aside, away

noun

\ ˈbī

variants: or bye

plural byes\ ˈbīz

Definition of by (Entry 3 of 5)

: something of secondary importance : a side issue by the by

adjective

\ ˈbī

variants: or bye

Definition of by (Entry 4 of 5)

1 : being off the main route : side a by passage

2 : incidental by effects

interjection

\ ˈbī

variants: or bye

Definition of by (Entry 5 of 5)

—used to express farewell —often used with following now

Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing by Learn More About by

Synonyms for by

Synonyms: Preposition

through,
via

Synonyms: Adverb

Examples of by in a Sentence

Preposition His wife was sitting by him. They have a house by the lake. The bus went right by him without stopping. Some friends stopped by our house for a chat. Why don't you come by my place later? Adverb The bus went right by without stopping. We stood and applauded as the parade went by. Why don't you come by later? See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition Recovery and relief efforts have continued across Florida and other states impacted by Hurricane Ian. — Julia Musto, Fox News, 6 Oct. 2022 But by reducing several mythic figures—including Kobe Bryant —to human size, director Jon Weinbach creates a candid team picture with no shortage of virtues. — John Anderson, WSJ, 6 Oct. 2022 The meals also have been shown to lower health care spending by reducing visits to emergency departments and hospitalizations. — Annie Mattea, Journal Sentinel, 6 Oct. 2022 But by 1972 the population was reduced to only roaming a small area along the Gulf coast due to habitat loss and hunting. — Fionna M. D. Samuels, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2022 The wharf lies on one side of the bridge that leads into Fort Myers Beach, which was brutalized by the Category 4 storm. — Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 5 Oct. 2022 Even so, the decision risks adding another shock to a global economy that is already battling inflation driven by high energy costs. — Grant Smith, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2022 Here’s What To Expect Even so, the cartel’s decision risks adding another shock to a global economy that is already battling inflation driven by high energy costs. — Time, 5 Oct. 2022 That claim, according to the company, hinged on a study of the soap by chemistry professors at the request of the inventors. — Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 24 Sep. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Like most adults who walk by, many of the students don't realize the little park exists beyond the sidewalk. — Chelsey Lewis, Journal Sentinel, 7 Oct. 2022 Without properly maintaining these records and abiding by when the law says they must be released, Tobe said many of the department's wrongdoings would go uncovered. — Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 7 Oct. 2022 Juno’s star camera took the black-and-white image from 256 miles (412 kilometers) away while zipping by at about 54,000 miles per hour (86,905 kilometers per hour). — Ashley Strickland, CNN, 6 Oct. 2022 Like many statues officials have replaced in the Capitol in recent years, history passed Benton by. — Chad Pergram, Fox News, 5 Oct. 2022 Other cellphone videos show Christopher Adam, 22, walking by and stopping. — Amanda Milkovits, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Oct. 2022 Rojas’ family gets by on what her husband earns as a painter. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2022 The trio of famous funnymen had no trouble enlisting their equally famous friends to stop by, everyone from Will Ferrell to Paul McCartney to Jennifer Aniston. — Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Oct. 2022 And the Red Eye lobs a jigger of tomato juice into a glass of beer for a hangover cure many swear by. — Miles Walls, Chron, 5 Oct. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Getting another great look at the Phantom Galaxy is a by-product of James Webb’s ongoing work. — Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 30 Aug. 2022 The drive-by was on the second anniversary of the murder of Chad Brown gang member Terry Robinson, which was a shooting that also injured Andrade. — Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2022 Sarver was fined $10 million, the maximum allowed under the NBA constitution and by-laws, suspended a year, but remains the team owner. — Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 The fine of $10 million is the most that can be levied under the NBA’s constitution and by-laws, the league said, and will be donated to organizations that focus on race and gender in and outside the workplace. — Louise Radnofsky, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 Outside the courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach, news media vans and cameras lined the street, prompting a passer-by to remark that someone famous must be inside. — New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 In response to the uproar following his by-then viral trash video, Purja added that the litter shouldn’t necessarily be perceived as malice. — Anna Callaghan, Outside Online, 29 Aug. 2022 But for a shop that's part of a business district heavily reliant on passers-by and tourists, Fields has noticed that inflation seems to be taking a bite. — Alicia Wallace, CNN, 29 July 2022 Though this is only the third one-on-one date of the season, producers are already leaping ahead to an old stand-by: The Pretty Woman date! — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 26 July 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Running backs coach Mike Jinks reiterated USC wants to employ less of a by-committee approach this fall, and Ingram has the look of a workhorse, with the ability to do damage in space and between the tackles. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2021 About 500 fast charging stalls will go live the by end of this year, GM said. — Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 28 Apr. 2021 But even Alabama must face this stark reality: Smith, Waddle and Harris were generational talents capable of being replaced only with a by-committee approach. — USA Today, 16 Apr. 2021 Clouds will increase by evening as the next rainy front approaches. — oregonlive, 29 Apr. 2020 Partly sunny skies emerge for all by afternoon as temperatures struggle to move past the 30s to low 40s for highs. — Matt Rogers, Washington Post, 10 Dec. 2019 Horton was a familiar face in the community by sight, if not by name. — Susan Hoffman, Daily Pilot, 15 July 2019 JoJo’ Robar, if not by name then by description — that guy with the 200-watt smile and his three-wheeled bike who rode all over, collecting cans and friends. — Bill Leukhardt, Courant Community, 13 June 2018 In the church’s library, retired religion scholar Herb Burhenn unpacks John 16 verse by verse as a dozen seniors seated around a long table listen and nod deferentially. — G. Jeffrey Macdonald, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Oct. 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'by.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of by

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Noun

1567, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Interjection

1709, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for by

Preposition, Adverb, Noun, and Adjective

Middle English, preposition & adverb, from Old English, preposition, be, bī; akin to Old High German bī by, near, Latin ambi- on both sides, around, Greek amphi

Interjection

short for goodbye

Learn More About by

Dictionary Entries Near by

bxd

by air

Statistics for by

Last Updated

9 Oct 2022

Cite this Entry

“By.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by. Accessed 11 Oct. 2022.

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More Definitions for by

preposition

\ bī

Kids Definition of by

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : close to : near His dog stood by the door.

2 : so as to go on We went by the back road. I prefer to travel by bus.

3 : so as to go through The burglar left by the back window.

4 : so as to pass A policeman drove by the house.

5 : at sense 1, during I travel by night.

6 : no later than Be sure to leave by noon.

7 : with the use or help of She won by cheating.

8 : through the action of It was seen by the others.

9 : according to sense 1 Play by the rules.

10 : with respect to He is a lawyer by profession. She is a Canadian by birth.

11 : to the amount of The youngest runner won by a mile.

12 —used to join two or more measurements a room 14 feet wide by 20 feet long or to join the numbers in a statement of multiplication or division Divide 8 by 4.

adverb

Kids Definition of by (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : near at hand Stand by.