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 of detour

Noun

• deviation
• departure

Verb

• bypass
• circumvent
• avoid

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 series centered on Kerrigan as a comedian heading from New York to Los Angeles for a big career opportunity, only for a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend, played by Felix Levine, to face mishaps and detours. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026

The Utah Navajo Health System posted about highway closures and detours. — Christopher Weber, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Verb

Four years later, when the Houthis began to threaten shipping in the Red Sea—spiking maritime insurance rates and forcing vessels to detour around the Cape of Good Hope—the United States and Europe once again organized separate responses. — Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026

While nearby making an appearance at a convention, King noticed Asher’s chocolate in her hotel room and detoured to one of its factories in July 2025. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for detour

• abjure
• adjure
• allure
• assure
• brochure
• cocksure
• coiffure
• contour
• couture
• demure
• endure
• ensure

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