bypass

Everyday

1. A road that goes around a town instead of through it. tree →
2. (medicine) An operation that makes a new path for blood to flow around a blocked part of the heart's blood vessels. tree →
3. (verb) To go around something or someone to avoid it. tree →
4. (verb) To ignore a rule or system or avoid using it. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and everyday life a bypass helps traffic avoid a busy town. In health lessons and news, heart bypass surgery is common. In computing, "bypass security" means getting around protection, which can be illegal. Phrases: "heart bypass", "take the bypass", "bypass the rules".

Examples

• We took the bypass to avoid the town traffic. tree →
• Grandad had a heart bypass operation. tree →
• The new road will bypass the village. tree →
• You cannot bypass the queue just because you're in a hurry. tree →
• Hackers tried to bypass the password. tree →
• The river bypassed the old mill. tree →

Note

One word for both noun and verb. Past form: bypassed. Bypassing a safety lock or password without permission is wrong and may be illegal.