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

There’s no way to steal, bypass, copy or leak a passkey. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Gather Your Tools Heavy-duty leather gloves or rose gauntlets, sharp bypass pruners, a pair of loppers, a rake, and a bucket or wheelbarrow for debris will make speedy work of pruning Knock Out roses. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2025

Verb

But those city-level policies only apply to local police departments — if a county sheriff's office signs a 287(g) agreement, that can bypass local laws. —Julia Ingram, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025

The Brewers bypassed Smith to add starting pitchers Logan Henderson and Chad Patrick while leaving a spot open. —Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for bypass

• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• chagas
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse
• jackass

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