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

That could mean a dog, deer or even a child, sprinting onto a road; a detour unforeseen on a navigation app or a suddenly active construction zone. — Alexa St. John, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Shipping containers placed by police along key routes in Islamabad since last month to block potential rallies have disrupted traffic and forced residents in the capital and neighboring Rawalpindi to take lengthy detours. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026

Verb

Carriers started detouring away from Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Drivers going east on the Dolphin can detour by exiting at Northwest 17th Avenue, then continuing south across Northwest Seventh Street. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 9 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