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)
(2)
: shunt sense 1c
also
: a surgical procedure for the establishment of a shunt
have a coronary bypass
bypassed; bypassing; bypasses
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
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
Richard Nephew,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
The two precious stones sit atop a bypass-style band of yellow gold and platinum, and tapered baguette diamonds accent the centerpiece.
—
Moises Mendez Ii,
InStyle,
29 June 2026
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
This was easily bypassed by a good possession side, with the space in the middle third being far too big — allowing Colombia to switch play easily.
—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for bypass
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.
Send us feedback.
Noun
North Korea, Russia, and China could use cryptocurrency to move money, bypass controls, and expand malign influence.
—
Richard Nephew,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
The two precious stones sit atop a bypass-style band of yellow gold and platinum, and tapered baguette diamonds accent the centerpiece.
—
Moises Mendez Ii,
InStyle,
29 June 2026
Verb
Fans harbor growing concerns given his extensive injury history and his decision to opt into his contract, potentially to bypass further medical evaluations.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
This was easily bypassed by a good possession side, with the space in the middle third being far too big — allowing Colombia to switch play easily.
—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for bypass
Cite this Entry
“Bypass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bypass. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Terry Todd, Sports Illustrated
bypass
transitive verb
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