# Via

/ˈvaɪə/ (US) · /vˈaɪɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/via
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. passing through a place

preposition · CEFR B1

going through a specific place on the way to your final destination.

For teachers: by way of; passing through a specified location in transit to another.

- We flew from London to Sydney via Singapore, where we stayed for two hours.
- The freight train travels to the northern ports via the mountain pass, avoiding the congested coastal routes during the peak season.

Usage: Always followed by a noun phrase representing the intermediate location.

### 2. using a method

preposition · CEFR B2 · Academic

using a particular person, system, or tool to send or do something.

For teachers: by means of; utilizing a specific medium, channel, or intermediary to achieve an end.

- I sent the documents to my boss via email so she would get them immediately.
- The research team gathered data via an anonymous online survey, ensuring that participants felt comfortable sharing sensitive information.

Usage: Common in academic and professional contexts to describe methodology.

### 3. circuit board connection

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a tiny hole in a computer circuit board that connects different layers of wires.

For teachers: an electrical connection between different layers of a printed circuit board or integrated circuit, typically formed by a plated hole.

- The engineer checked the circuit board because one via was not conducting electricity properly.
- Modern high-density designs require micro-vias to manage the complex routing between the multiple layers of the motherboard.

## Examples

- We flew to Tokyo via London.
- The technician updated the device's software via a wireless connection to the main server.
- The signal travels from the sensor to the control unit via a series of copper wires, ensuring that the data remains stable even in high-interference environments.

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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.
