Route
/ruːt/
Definitions
2 meaningsA path or course taken to reach a destination.
/ruːt/
A way or course taken to get from a starting point to a destination.
We took a different route to avoid the traffic.
💡 Simply: It's like a map for your feet or wheels! It's the specific path you follow to get somewhere, like the way your bus goes to school or the path you walk to the park. The bus follows a regular route, picking up kids.
👶 For kids: A path you take to get somewhere.
More Examples
The tour guide planned the best route to see all the historical sites.
The mail carrier's route covers several neighborhoods.
How It's Used
"The scenic route through the mountains was breathtaking."
"The delivery company optimized their routes to save on fuel costs."
To send or direct something along a specific path or course.
/ruːt/
To send something or direct something along a particular course.
The system will route the calls to the appropriate department.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're the traffic controller for a package or information. Routing is like deciding which road or path they should take to arrive where they need to go. Imagine you're a delivery person, routing a package by putting the package on the right road so that it reaches the customer. It might be better to 're-route' a package if the first route is blocked.
👶 For kids: To tell something where to go.
More Examples
The courier routed the package to the customer's home.
The company is routing the mail through a new sorting center.
How It's Used
"The airline routed the flight through Chicago due to the storm."
"The network administrator routed the data packets efficiently."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
off the beaten route
Away from the usual or popular path; not conventional.
"We explored some charming villages off the beaten route during our trip."
the usual route
The normal or customary way of doing or going somewhere.
"I take the usual route to work, unless there's traffic."
From French *route* (way, road), from Vulgar Latin *rupta* (broken road), from Latin *rupta via* (broken way), feminine past participle of *rumpere* (to break).
The term 'route' has been used for centuries to describe both physical paths and metaphorical courses of action, evolving with changes in transportation and technology.
Memory tip
Think of the road you take to school or work.