ˈbī 
before consonants also bə
1
: in proximity to : near
standing by the window
2
a
: 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
3
a
: during the course of
studied by night
b
: not later than
be there by 2 p.m.
4
a
: 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
6
a
: 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 b
multiply 10 by 4
a room 15 feet by 20 feet
8
a
: 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 little
walk two by two
11
: in the opinion of : from the point of view of
OK by me
variants
or bye
1
: being off the main route : side
a by passage
2
: incidental
by effects
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?
Recent Examples on the Web
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
The tourism minister also expressed confidence that the sector could contribute 10% of GDP by 2030, aiming to raise it to 20% eventually.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Astronomers say late October is still best time to watch these meteors, which can streak by at 20 per hour.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
While in Dallas another passer-by saw a dog being thrown out of a car in May.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
David Beard, Car and Driver, 7 Feb. 2023
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
See All Example Sentences for by
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Preposition
Italy, still burdened by low growth and an aging population, has brought its deficit below the European Union’s 3% limit a year ahead of schedule.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
The tourism minister also expressed confidence that the sector could contribute 10% of GDP by 2030, aiming to raise it to 20% eventually.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Whether the week dragged or flew by, the weekend has arrived — and so have a host of events across the Sacramento region, from family outings and concerts to high school football and college sports.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Astronomers say late October is still best time to watch these meteors, which can streak by at 20 per hour.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Barring a late-hour breakthrough in negotiations, passers-by can expect to see picket lines outside of Kaiser hospitals in Oakland and Santa Clara starting Tuesday morning, when 2,800 health professionals in Northern California plan to stop work to seek higher pay and staffing improvements.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
While in Dallas another passer-by saw a dog being thrown out of a car in May.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
In theory, the manual should be a lap-time penalty, and the data shows our by-hand gearchanges losing some time to the automatic's quick shifts.
—David Beard, Car and Driver, 7 Feb. 2023
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
See All Example Sentences for by
Cite this Entry
“By.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
by
1 of 3 preposition
(ˈ)bī
especially before consonants bə
1
: close to : near
by the sea
2
a
: so as to go along or through
by a different route
enter by the door
b
: past entry 2 sense 2
went right by them
4
: through the means or agency of
by force
5
: according to sense 1
by the rules
called by a different name
6
: with respect to
a doctor by profession
7
: to or in the amount or length of
win by a nose
sold by the pound
8
: in a series of
walk two by two
9
—used as a function word in multiplication and division and in measurements
divide 6 by 2
a room 15 feet by 20 feet
10
: in the opinion of
it's fine by me
by
2 of 3 adverb1
a
: close at hand : near
standing by
b
: at or to another's home
stop by for a chat
2
: past entry 4
cars went by
3
: aside entry 1 sense 2
putting some money by
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