Whereby
/ˌweərˈbaɪ/
Definitions
By or through which; in accordance with which.
/ˌweərˈbaɪ/
By means of which; as a result of which.
A system was devised whereby students could access information remotely.
💡 Simply: It's like saying 'using this' or 'because of this.' Imagine you win a contest whereby you get to pick the prize. It means you get the prize because of winning the contest.
👶 For kids: It means 'because of this' or 'by using this thing'. Like, "I'll go to the park whereby I can play on the swings."
More Examples
The rules are set up whereby students can challenge the teacher.
They agreed to a settlement whereby the debt would be paid in installments.
The mechanism whereby the virus spreads is still under investigation.
How It's Used
"The contract specifies the conditions whereby the agreement can be terminated."
"He proposed a solution whereby both parties would benefit."
Idioms & expressions
clause whereby
A specific section of a legal document that explains the conditions or circumstances of a situation.
"The clause whereby the contract could be terminated was poorly written."
From Middle English *wherbi*, from Old English *hwær* ('where') + *bi* ('by'). It indicates 'by means of which' or 'in accordance with which'.
The word 'whereby' has been used since the 14th century, primarily in legal and formal contexts.
Memory tip
Think of 'by' and 'where'. It's about how something happens because of something else. The 'where' tells you what the 'by' is attached to.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: hwær (where) + bi (by)