# bypass

/ˈbaɪˌpæs/ (US) · /bˈaɪpɑːs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bypass
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a road

noun · CEFR B2

a road that goes around a town or busy area so you can avoid traffic.

For teachers: a road designed to divert through-traffic away from a town centre or residential area.

- The new bypass has made the journey much faster by avoiding the city centre.
- Local residents campaigned for a bypass to reduce the volume of heavy goods vehicles passing through the historic village square.

### 2. medical surgery

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a medical operation that creates a new path for blood to flow when an artery is blocked.

For teachers: a surgical procedure to redirect the flow of a bodily fluid, typically blood, around an obstruction in a vessel or organ.

- He is recovering well in the hospital after his heart bypass surgery.
- The patient underwent a triple bypass to restore adequate blood flow to the cardiac muscle after several arteries were found to be severely narrowed.

### 3. to go around

verb · CEFR B2

to go around something instead of going through it.

For teachers: to avoid an obstacle or a specific area by taking an alternative route.

- We decided to bypass the heavy traffic by taking the back roads.
- The proposed pipeline will bypass the protected wetlands to minimise the environmental impact on local wildlife habitats.

### 4. to skip a process

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to ignore the usual rules or people in charge to get something done faster.

For teachers: to circumvent established channels, hierarchies, or procedures.

- She bypassed her manager and spoke directly to the owner of the company.
- The department was accused of bypassing standard safety protocols in an attempt to meet the aggressive production deadline.

## Examples

- He is recovering well after his heart bypass.
- The surgeon recommended a triple bypass to address the severe blockages in the patient's coronary arteries.
- Advancements in minimally invasive techniques have significantly reduced the recovery time for patients undergoing a gastric bypass, though strict dietary adherence remains essential for long-term success.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.