Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense routes, present participle routing, past tense, past participle routedpronunciation note: Pronounced (ruːt) or (raʊt) in American English.
1. countable noun
A route is a way from one place to another.
...the most direct route to the town centre.
All escape routes were blocked by armed police.
Tens of thousands lined the route from Dublin airport.
Synonyms: way, course, road, direction More Synonyms of route
2. countable noun
A bus, air, or shipping route is the way between two places along which buses, planes, or ships travel regularly.
...the main shipping routes to Japan.
3. countable noun
In the United States, Route is used in front of a number in the names of main roads between major cities.
...the Broadway-Webster exit on Route 580.
4. countable noun
Your route is the series of visits you make to different people or places, as part of your job.
[mainly US]
He began cracking open big blue tins of butter cookies and feeding the dogs on hisroute.
They would go out on his route and check him.
regional note: in BRIT, usually use round, rounds
Synonyms: beat, run, round, circuit More Synonyms of route
5. countable noun
You can refer to a way of achieving something as a route.
Researchers are trying to get at the same information through an indirect route.
Buying the best is as sure a route to success in investment as in any other field.
6. verb [usually passive]
If vehicles, goods, or passengers are routed in a particular direction, they are made to travel in that direction.
Double-stack trains are taking a lot of freight that used to be routed via trucks. [beVERB-ed preposition/adverb]
Approaching cars will be routed into two lanes. [beVERB-ed preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: direct, lead, guide, steer More Synonyms of route
7. verb
If telephone calls or other electronic signals are routed in a particular way, the signals are sent through a particular series of connections.
[technical]
...plans to route every emergency call in the country through just three telephoneexchanges. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: send, forward, dispatch More Synonyms of route
8.
See en route
9.
See en route
10.
See go the route
route in British English
(ruːt, US English raʊt)
noun
1.
the choice of roads taken to get to a place
2.
a regular journey travelled
3. (capital) US
a main road between cities
Route 66
4. mountaineering
the direction or course taken by a climb
5. medicine
the means by which a drug or agent is administered or enters the body, such as by mouth or by injection
oral route
verbWord forms: routes, routing, routeing or routed(transitive)
6.
to plan the route of; send by a particular route
▶ USAGE When forming the present participle or verbal noun from the verb to route, it is preferable to retain the e in order to distinguish the word from routing, the present participle or verbal noun from rout1, to defeat or rout2, to dig, rummage: the routeing of buses from the city centre to the suburbs. The spelling routing in this sense is, however, sometimes encountered, esp in American English
Derived forms
routable (ˈroutable) or routeable (ˈrouteable)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French rute, from Vulgar Latin rupta via (unattested), literally: a broken (established) way, from Latin ruptus broken, from rumpere to break, burst
route in American English
(rut; raʊt)
noun
1.
a road, way, or course for traveling; esp., a highway
2. US
a.
a regular course traveled as in delivering mail, milk, newspapers, etc.
b.
a set of customers whom one regularly visits to make deliveries, solicit sales, etc.
3. Archaic
an order for troops to march
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈrouted or ˈrouting
4. US
to direct, send, forward, or transport by a specified route
to route goods through Omaha
5. US
to fix the order of procedure of (a series of operations, etc.)
to route orders through the sales department
Idioms:
go the route
Word origin
ME < OFr route, rote < L rupta (via), (path) broken through < fem. of ruptus, pp. of rumpere, to break: see rupture
Examples of 'route' in a sentence
route
We take a different route because it has worked so far.
The Sun (2017)
He would then have just two routes to victory.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You just need to go out and ask for advice and go down that route.
The Sun (2016)
We should look at a different route in.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The route involves three to six hours' walking a day.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
An area of high pressure is blocking their direct route to the finish line so they are both having to plot a way north.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Passengers have been forced to work from home or find alternative routes by bus or car, adding hours to their daily commutes.
The Sun (2016)
Cardiff airport last month launched a new route flying to London City airport.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Just to play on the team bus for entertainment en route to matches.
The Sun (2012)
There will be reduced or suspended services on a number of routes.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is not just through obvious routes whereby weak housing hits purchases of furniture or carpets.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There will be stops at friendly garden centres en route for plant and wheelbarrow servicing.
The Sun (2012)
Tube and bus routes within walking distance.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They have taken different routes to get where they are now.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We left camp and took the most direct route.
Richard Holmes Dusty Warriors: Modern Soldiers at War (2006)
Lunch in a café en route to the airport.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Those conditions included the preservation of jobs and of some air routes.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
That leaves a sovereign wealth fund purchaser or a demerger as the most obvious exit route.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The website hosts a range of transport and traffic tools so you can plan the quickest route.
The Sun (2009)
People will always look for new routes and new ways round the system.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They know they have to go the intellectual route to get your interest.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Call it route one with finesse and flair.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Park rangers were dispatched and began climbing the route.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Most major arterial routes are already electrified.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
En route we stopped to buy petrol.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The admirably simple home page channels you down any number of routes.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
One of them kicked a car that was just a little tardy in clearing the route.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There have been landings at other Kent beaches since the new route opened up last summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The routes include directions and details of how tough the walk is, how long it should take and what the surface conditions are like.
The Sun (2013)
The device includes an electronic compass, direction indicator, route planner and real time clock.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The car park where the body was discovered will be transformed into a visitor's centre and a route through the cathedral will take tourists past his remains.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
route
British English: route /ruːt/ NOUN
A route is a way from one place to another.
...the most direct route to the town centre.
American English: route
Arabic: طَرِيق
Brazilian Portuguese: rota
Chinese: 路线
Croatian: ruta
Czech: trasa
Danish: rute
Dutch: route
European Spanish: ruta
Finnish: reitti
French: itinéraire
German: Strecke
Greek: διαδρομή
Italian: itinerario
Japanese: ルート
Korean: 노정
Norwegian: strekning
Polish: szlak
European Portuguese: rota
Romanian: rută
Russian: маршрут
Latin American Spanish: ruta
Swedish: rutt
Thai: เส้นทาง
Turkish: güzergah
Ukrainian: маршрут
Vietnamese: tuyến đường
British English: route VERB
If vehicles, goods, or passengers are routed in a particular direction, they are made to travel in that direction.
Double-stack trains are taking a lot of freight that used to be routed via trucks.
American English: route
Brazilian Portuguese: ser conduzido
Chinese: 为…规定路线
European Spanish: encaminar
French: diriger
German: leiten
Italian: istradare
Japanese: 送る
Korean: 운송되다
European Portuguese: ser conduzido
Latin American Spanish: encaminar
All related terms of 'route'
air route
a designated route for aircraft flying between particular ground locations at specified minimum altitudes
en route
En route to a place means on the way to that place. En route is sometimes spelled on route in non-standard English .
red route
an urban through route where the penalties for illegal parking are severe and are immediately enforced
re-route
If vehicles or planes are re-routed , they are directed along a different route because the usual route cannot be used.
route map
A route map is a map that shows the main roads in a particular area or the main routes used by buses, trains, and other forms of transport in a particular area.
route one
a style of play involving long high kicks towards a central striker
sea route
a route followed by ships
exit route
a route by which it is possible to leave a place
paper route
A paper route is the same as a → paper round .
route march
a march in which a unit retains its column formation but individuals are allowed to break step
rural route
a mail delivery route in a rural area
silk route
→ the silk route
spice route
an ancient trade route followed by merchants , importers and exporters trading in exotic spices such as cloves and cinnamon
star route
a mail route serviced by a private contractor
trade route
A trade route is a route, often covering long distances, that is used by traders.
escape route
a planned means of escape from a dangerous situation
route planner
a book of road maps
go the route
If you go the route , you do something fully or continue with a task until you have completely finished .
evacuation route
An evacuation route is a way to get out of a building if there is an emergency , such as a fire .
the silk route
an ancient trade route that linked Asia and the countries of the Mediterranean and was followed by Marco Polo when he travelled to Cathay
route of administration
A route of administration is the means by which a drug or agent enters the body, such as by mouth or by injection .
Chinese translation of 'route'
route
(ruːt)
n(c)
(= path, journey) 路 (lù) (条(條), tiáo)
[of bus, train]路线(線) (lùxiàn) (条(條), tiáo)
[of ship]航线(線) (hángxiàn)
(= means) 途径(徑) (tújìng)
vt
按路线(線)发(發)送 (àn lùxiàn fāsòng)
"all routes" (Aut) "所有车(車)辆(輛)按路线(線)行驶(駛)" ("suǒyǒu chēliàng àn lùxiàn xíngshǐ")
1 (noun)
Definition
a chosen way or method
the most direct route to the town centre
Synonyms
way
Can you tell me the way to the station?
course
For nearly four hours we maintained our course northwards.
road
on the road to recovery
direction
We drove ten miles in the opposite direction.
path
A group of reporters blocked his path.
The tornado wrecked everything in its path.
journey
My films try to describe a journey of discovery.
passage
I spotted someone lurking in the passage between the two houses.
avenue
It is set in landscaped grounds at the end of a tree-lined avenue.
itinerary
The next place on the itinerary was Silistra.
2 (noun)
Definition
a fixed path followed by buses, trains, etc. between two places
They would go out on his route and check him.
Synonyms
beat
I was a relatively new PC on the beat, stationed in Hendon.
run
doing the morning school run
round
The consultant did his morning round.
circuit
I get asked this question a lot when I'm on the lecture circuit.
1 (verb)
Definition
to send by a particular route
Approaching cars will be routed into two lanes.
Synonyms
direct
A guard directed them to the right.
lead
He led him into the house.
guide
She took the bewildered man by the arm and guided him out.
steer
Nick steered them into the nearest seats.
convey
usher
They were quickly ushered away.
2 (verb)
Definition
to send by a particular route
plans to route every emergency call through three exchanges
Synonyms
send
He sent a basket of exotic fruit and a card.
forward
The document was forwarded to the President.
dispatch
He dispatched a text message to Harper.
Usage note
When adding -ing to the verb route to form the present participle, it is more conventional, and clearer, to keep the final e from the end of the verb stem: routeing. The spelling routing in this sense is also possible, but keeping the e distinguishes it from routing, which is the participle formed from the verb rout meaning `to defeat'.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of avenue
Definition
a wide street
It is set in landscaped grounds at the end of a tree-lined avenue.
Synonyms
street,
way,
course,
drive,
road,
pass,
approach,
channel,
access,
entry,
route,
path,
passage,
entrance,
alley,
pathway,
boulevard,
driveway,
thoroughfare
in the sense of circuit
Definition
the places visited on such a journey
I get asked this question a lot when I'm on the lecture circuit.
Synonyms
course,
round,
tour,
track,
route,
journey
in the sense of course
Definition
the path or channel along which a river moves
For nearly four hours we maintained our course northwards.
Synonyms
route,
way,
line,
road,
track,
channel,
direction,
path,
passage,
trail,
orbit,
tack,
trajectory
Synonyms of 'route'
route
Explore 'route' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of direction
Definition
the course or line along which a person or thing moves, points, or lies
We drove ten miles in the opposite direction.
Synonyms
way,
course,
line,
road,
track,
bearing,
route,
path,
orientation
in the sense of dispatch
Definition
to send off to a destination or to perform a task
He dispatched a text message to Harper.
Synonyms
send,
transmit,
forward,
express,
communicate,
consign,
remit
in the sense of forward
Definition
to send (a letter, etc.) on to an ultimate destination
The document was forwarded to the President.
Synonyms
send on,
send,
post,
pass on,
ship,
route,
transmit,
dispatch,
freight,
redirect,
fwd
in the sense of guide
Definition
to lead the way for (tourists or travellers)
She took the bewildered man by the arm and guided him out.
Synonyms
lead,
direct,
escort,
conduct,
pilot,
accompany,
steer,
shepherd,
convoy,
usher,
show the way
in the sense of itinerary
Definition
a detailed plan of a journey
The next place on the itinerary was Silistra.
Synonyms
schedule,
line,
programme,
tour,
route,
journey,
circuit,
timetable
in the sense of journey
My films try to describe a journey of discovery.
Synonyms
progress,
passage,
voyage,
pilgrimage,
odyssey
in the sense of lead
Definition
to guide or be guided by physical means
He led him into the house.
Synonyms
guide,
conduct,
steer,
escort,
precede,
usher,
pilot,
show the way
in the sense of passage
Definition
a channel or opening providing a way through
I spotted someone lurking in the passage between the two houses.
Synonyms
alley,
way,
opening,
close (British),
course,
road,
channel,
route,
path,
lane,
avenue,
thoroughfare
in the sense of path
Definition
the course or direction in which something moves
A group of reporters blocked his path.The tornado wrecked everything in its path.
Synonyms
route,
way,
course,
direction,
passage
in the sense of road
Definition
a way or course
on the road to recovery
Synonyms
way,
course,
direction,
route,
path
Additional synonyms
in the sense of round
Definition
a series of calls
The consultant did his morning round.
Synonyms
course,
turn,
tour,
circuit,
beat,
series,
schedule,
routine,
compass,
ambit
in the sense of run
Definition
a distance covered by running or a period of running
doing the morning school run
Synonyms
round,
route,
journey,
circuit,
course
in the sense of steer
Definition
to direct the movements or course of (a person, conversation, or activity)