route
n. · v.-
1 a path or way (n.) A2 Elementarythe way you take to get from one place to another.
a course, way, or road travelled or passed to reach a destination.
ExampleThe quickest route to the airport is usually the motorway.
ExampleThe hikers consulted their topographical map to determine which route offered the safest descent before the weather deteriorated.
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2 a delivery path (n.) B1 Intermediatea regular series of stops for a person making deliveries or a bus.
a regular itinerary of stops or the specific path followed between them for transport or delivery services.
ExampleThe postman has been on the same delivery route for ten years.
ExampleThe logistics company redesigned the delivery routes to minimise fuel consumption and improve the efficiency of the morning couriers.
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3 a method or approach (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Academica way of doing something or achieving a result.
a figurative method, approach, or sequence of actions taken to achieve a specific objective.
ExampleTaking an internship is a great route into a career in fashion.
ExampleThe university offers a foundation year as an alternative route for students who do not meet the standard entry requirements for the degree programme.
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4 data path (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Computingthe path that information takes through a computer network.
a specific entry in a routing table that determines the path for transmitting data packets across a network.
ExampleThe technician checked the network route to see why the connection was slow.
ExampleThe network administrator manually configured a static route to ensure that traffic from the branch office bypassed the congested primary gateway.
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5 to direct or send (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto send someone or something along a particular path.
to direct, divert, or dispatch along a specific course or through a particular medium.
ExampleThe operator will route your call to the correct department.
ExampleDuring the construction phase, the city council decided to route all heavy goods vehicles through the industrial zone to reduce noise in the residential areas.
UsageThe verb is transitive and requires a direct object, often followed by 'through' or 'via'.
From Middle English route, from Old French route, from Latin rupta [via] (literally “a path made by force”). Compare Modern French route. See routine. Further via Latin ruptus related with bankrupt.