by

1 of 5

preposition

ˈbī How to pronounce by (audio)
 before consonants also 
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

by

2 of 5

adverb

1
: past
saw him go by
2
a
: at or to another's home
stop by
b
: close at hand : near
lives close by
3
: aside, away

by

3 of 5

noun

variants or bye
plural byes ˈbīz How to pronounce by (audio)
: something of secondary importance : a side issue
by the by

by

4 of 5

adjective

variants or bye
1
: being off the main route : side
a by passage
2
: incidental
by effects

by

5 of 5

interjection

variants or bye
used to express farewell
often used with following now
Phrases
by the by or by the bye

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
Preposition
In rating among adults age 18-49, the episode started with a 0.7 and grew by 178% to a 1.9 in Multiplatform + 3 — the second highest this season. Selome Hailu, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024 The album was co-produced by herself and Ian Fitchuk, who also co-wrote eight songs. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024 The rate of solar installations in California has taken a nosedive after the state’s utility agency slashed rebates for surplus power produced by residential solar panels. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Published by Little, Brown and Company on March 19. Jenny Comita, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 And by the time flashing lights streaked by in full darkness, the delta between Lambo’s fastest lap and the now-leading Acura’s dropped to only 0.4 seconds—which Mohr views as an incredible feat for the team, and inspiration to keep working hard to improve the SC63’s potential. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024 License applications will be available to marijuana growers, processors and dispensaries by June 7. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2024 The single became the first in history to reach No. 1 by two different artists after Donny Osmond recorded his version in 1971. Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Augusta, Maine — Robert Card, the Army reservist who shot and killed 18 people in Maine last year, had significant evidence of traumatic brain injuries, according to a brain tissue analysis by researchers from Boston University that was released Wednesday. CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024
Adverb
But when discourse fails and mob mentality takes hold, the audience is forced to stand idly by as Thomas is thrown to the wolves. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024 As Sarah walked by, the actress grabbed her daughter’s wrist to stop her and pull her closer. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 What Happens The series, at least if a synopsis is anything to go by, hits beats from the original. John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024 The sue-and-settle scheme was done in a way that benefited the city, lined Libman’s pockets, kept Jones in the dark about what was occurring and ultimately violated the ethics code that attorneys must abide by, according to State Bar prosecutors. Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Another trend, if the Spanish Screenings market premieres are anything to go by, is history. John Hopewell, Variety, 3 Mar. 2024 At least two Israeli armored vehicles were present on al-Rashid Street as aid trucks drove by, according to The Post’s analysis of visuals and numerous witness accounts. Jonathan Baran, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 India have not lost a home Test series since late 2012 against England - probably the greatest achievement by a team since the turn of the century and only getting more implausible as the years roll by. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Chavez was at his home in the 6900 block of 22nd Street when suspects drove by and unleashed a hail of bullets, according to previous Bee reporting. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 27 Feb. 2024
Noun
In order to preserve privacy for guests, management doesn’t allow check-ins before 4 p.m. or check-outs after 11 a.m., or drop-in visits by curious passers-by. Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 And, by the by, the objects had never been catalogued so the museum doesn’t know precisely what went out the door. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 23 Dec. 2023 The city has decided to pay by the ton instead of the by yard, at least partly because the per-yard increases are steeper -- rising by 19 percent this year, 4 percent next year and 4 percent in 2025. Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 25 July 2023 Both Merlin and Pocock confirmed that they have been closely observed or even intimidated by guards and security (including an F-16 fly-by). Matt Blitz, Popular Mechanics, 23 Mar. 2023 They were quickly joined by passers-by and even a business owner who dashed across the park. George Castle, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2023 New York City, where sidewalks have long been overrun by foul-smelling heaps of garbage bags that force passers-by to yield to oncoming rat traffic, is about to try a not-so-novel idea to solve the problem. Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 3 May 2023 There were signs both supporting and decrying the former president stuck to posts, one urging passers-by to donate to help fund Trump’s presidential library and another showing a shouting Trump behind bars. BostonGlobe.com, 4 Apr. 2023 The event closed with a fly-by over the palace. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 2 June 2022
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 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'by.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Preposition, Adverb, Noun, and Adjective

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

Interjection

short for goodbye

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of by was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near by

Cite this Entry

“By.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

by

1 of 3 preposition
(ˈ)bī How to pronounce by (audio)
 especially before consonants 
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
3
a
: at, during
studied by night
b
: not later than
be there by 2 p.m.
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 adverb
1
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

by

3 of 3 noun
variants or bye
plural byes
ˈbīz
: something incidental

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