# routing

/ˈɹaʊtɪŋ/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. path selection

noun · CEFR B2

the act of choosing which way a person, vehicle, or package should go.

For teachers: the systematic determination of a course or path for traffic, transport, or personnel.

- The company improved its delivery times by using better routing for its trucks.
- Efficient routing of the delivery fleet reduced fuel consumption by nearly fifteen percent over the last fiscal quarter.

Usage: Often used in logistics and transport contexts.

### 2. internet data

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the way computers send information to each other across a network like the internet.

For teachers: the process of selecting paths in a network along which to send network traffic.

- A problem with the internet routing caused the website to load very slowly.
- The network administrator reconfigured the dynamic routing protocols to ensure that data packets would bypass the damaged server node.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the general technology; countable when referring to specific protocols.

### 3. woodworking

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a groove or channel cut into a piece of wood or metal using a special tool.

For teachers: the act of cutting or carving a groove or decorative edge into a material using a router.

- The carpenter finished the routing on the cabinet doors to give them a decorative edge.
- Precise routing is essential when creating the inlay channels for high-end musical instruments.

### 4. sending along a path

verb · CEFR B2

sending someone or something along a specific path or direction.

For teachers: the present participle of 'route'; the act of directing along a particular course.

- They are routing all the phone calls to the main office today.
- By routing the heavy traffic through the new bypass, the city council hopes to reduce congestion in the historic town centre.

### 5. defeating completely

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

defeating an enemy or opponent so badly that they run away in confusion.

For teachers: the present participle of 'rout'; the act of defeating an opponent decisively, resulting in a disorderly retreat.

- The home team is routing the visitors with a score of five to zero.
- The revolutionary forces were successful in routing the government troops, who fled the capital in total disarray.

Teaching tip: Note the spelling: 'routing' can come from 'route' (a path) or 'rout' (a defeat). Context is key.

## Examples

- The routing of the package caused a two-day delay.
- Efficient routing of internet traffic ensures that video calls remain clear and stable.
- The company's new logistics software optimizes the routing of delivery trucks to minimize fuel consumption and reduce overall transit times.

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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.