# redirect

/ˌɹidɝˈɛkt/ (US) · /ɹˌiːdaɪɹˈɛkt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/redirect
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

to send someone or something to a different place or for a different purpose than originally planned. In computing, to automatically send a user or a piece of data from one web address or file to another one.

For teachers: to change the direction or focus of an object, person, or digital request. Often involves rerouting traffic, funds, or attention toward a new destination or objective. In computing and networking, this refers to the process of forwarding a request for a URL or a data stream to a different destination than the one requested.

## Examples

- The website will redirect you to the login page automatically.
- The city had to redirect traffic through side streets while the main bridge was under repair.
- The board of directors voted to redirect the remaining research budget toward marketing efforts in an attempt to stabilize the company's falling stock price.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The link redirects at the home page" but "The link redirects to the home page" — Redirect requires the preposition 'to' when indicating a destination, not 'at'.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and often takes the preposition 'to'.

---

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.