detour

1 of 2

noun

de·​tour ˈdē-ˌtu̇r How to pronounce detour (audio)
 also  di-ˈtu̇r
: a deviation from a direct course or the usual procedure
especially : a roundabout way temporarily replacing part of a route

detour

2 of 2

verb

detoured; detouring; detours

intransitive verb

: to proceed by a detour
detour around road construction

transitive verb

1
: to send by a circuitous route
detour traffic around an accident
2
: to avoid by going around : bypass
detour an accident site

Examples of detour in a Sentence

Noun After a number of unexpected detours, we finally arrived at our destination. The little restaurant is worth a detour. We had to make a detour around the heaviest traffic. We took a detour from the main streets. The road is closed ahead, so traffic will have to follow the detour. Verb We detoured around the heaviest traffic. A police officer was detouring traffic around the scene of the accident. Traffic will be detoured to 72nd Street.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
His interest in the Church Street area started with a detour while on a business trip. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025 Whether that will involve Paul or another opponent remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Logan Paul is positioning himself as a major force in WWE, even if his journey to the top may come with some detours. Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
The department released a map of the closure showing that northbound traffic on North Fifth is being detoured west on Wood Street and north on North Sixth Street. Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 22 Jan. 2025 During the bridge closure, motorists are expected to be detoured to the U.S. 8 bridge at Taylors Falls and the Minnesota 36 bridge at Oak Park Heights. Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for detour 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French détour, from Old French destor, from destorner to divert, from des- de- + torner to turn — more at turn

First Known Use

Noun

1738, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1836, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of detour was in 1738

Dictionary Entries Near detour

Cite this Entry

“Detour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detour. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

detour

1 of 2 noun
de·​tour ˈdē-ˌtu̇(ə)r How to pronounce detour (audio)
 also  di-ˈtu̇(ə)r
: a departure from a direct course or the usual procedure
especially : a roundabout way temporarily replacing a regular route

detour

2 of 2 verb
: to send or proceed by a detour
detour traffic around an accident

More from Merriam-Webster on detour

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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