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route

route

1.0
A road or path people use to travel between places
  • noun
  • /ruːt/
translation icon : ruta
  • There are several alternative routes to reach the city center.
  • take the route
  • follow the route
  • the same route

But we may not have time for the long route right now.

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Examples

  • Pat must have taken a different route.

  • So the Samaritans and other groups leave bottled water along high-traffic routes, hoping to save lives.

    Academic text (2011)
  • But we may not have time for the long route right now.

    GQ
  • So now we're going to try this route that I have done before.

  • There were then multiple routes through the city now.

  • This feels like the only route, let's keep going.

  • So now China has a direct route into Afghanistan.

  • But you know, there are sections on that route that are notoriously difficult.

  • There were prosperous villages with markets along the route, centered on dirt roads running east and west.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • So I stepped into the old passenger train en route to Kanazawa with a feeling of relief.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

way
vsroute
1.0

A path or road from one place to another

is a neutral technical term for an established travel connection
road
vsroute
1.0

A wide hard surface for cars and people to travel between places

is any established travel connection, not necessarily a built hard surface
course
vsroute
2.0

The path something moves along, for example a plane or a river

is a fixed travel connection between places rather than any movement direction
path
vsroute
969 1.0

A way or track that people and things move along for travel

is a general established travel connection rather than a narrow worn track
highway
vsroute
629 1.0

A main road that connects big towns or cities for long trips

is any established travel link, not only main long-distance vehicle links
trail
vsroute
318 1.6

A rough path through the countryside for walking or riding

is a general established travel connection, not only rough countryside tracks
itinerary
vsroute
61 4.1

A planned route or schedule that shows places to visit on a trip

is an established travel connection rather than a planned schedule for visits
pathway
vsroute
39 2.7

A track made by people or animals that is worn down

is a general travel connection, not necessarily formed by repeated use
thoroughfare
vsroute
19 5.1

A main road that people use to travel between places

is a general established travel link, not limited to major public vehicle lines
flight path
vsroute
  • Specialized
19 3.9

The route a plane or rocket follows through the sky

is a general travel connection for land or sea rather than an airborne trajectory
trade route
vsroute
11 3.0

A regular route used to carry goods between regions or countries

is a general travel connection, not limited to commercial use
beeline
vsroute
11 4.2

A straight path from one place to another

is an established travel connection, not defined by directness
bus route
vsroute
9 1.3

A regular path a bus follows between stops

is a general travel connection, not specific to scheduled public transport
footpath
vsroute
  • UK
9 1.9

A narrow path for people to walk on away from roads

is a general travel connection, not restricted to pedestrians alone
scenic route
vsroute
8 3.7

A road or path chosen for its beautiful views, usually longer than the direct way

is a general established travel connection, not chosen for scenery
supply route
vsroute
6 3.8

A road or path used to carry food and equipment to soldiers

is a general travel connection, not dedicated to supply transport
best route
vsroute
5 2.0

The quickest or easiest way to travel from one place to another

is a general established travel connection, not focused on efficiency
migration route
vsroute
2 3.7

A path that birds or animals follow when they move between places each year

is a general travel connection for people or vehicles rather than animal corridors
bikeway
vsroute
  • US
1 2.3

A path for people who ride bicycles

is a general travel connection, not specific to bicycle use
bridle path
vsroute
1 5.8

A path for riding or leading horses, not for vehicles

is a general travel connection, not limited to horse use
guideway
vsroute
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A track that guides vehicles like trams and buses

is a general travel connection, not necessarily a guiding structure
1 6.5

A path from long ago for carrying goods between places

is a general travel connection, not specifically historical
bypath
vsroute
  • Archaic
7.5

A small quiet path in the countryside that few people use

is a general established travel connection, not specifically minor or rural
common run
vsroute
3.6

A path that many people or vehicles use regularly

is a general travel connection, not defined by frequency of use
trunk route
vsroute
  • UK
5.7

Main railway line that carries most trains between big cities

is a general travel connection, not restricted to railway main lines
wheelway
vsroute
  • UK
7.4

A path for bicycles and other vehicles with wheels

is a general travel connection, not limited to wheeled vehicle use
ship route
vsroute
2.3

A path at sea that boats follow regularly

is a general travel connection, not specifically a sea lane
circumbendibus route
vsroute
  • Archaic
9.9

A longer, indirect way to go that avoids the direct road

is a standard established travel connection, not intentionally indirect

Idioms

144 3.7

While traveling to a place

Compounds

15 3.2

A regular job delivering newspapers to homes

11 3.0

A regular route used to carry goods between regions or countries

9 1.3

A regular path a bus follows between stops

8 3.7

A road or path chosen for its beautiful views, usually longer than the direct way

6 3.8

A road or path used to carry food and equipment to soldiers

5 2.0

The quickest or easiest way to travel from one place to another

A path that birds or animals follow when they move between places each year

A path from long ago for carrying goods between places

scenic route
  • Informal
1 4.0

An indirect way of doing something that is more enjoyable or useful than the fastest way

9.9

A longer, indirect way to go that avoids the direct road

5.7

Main railway line that carries most trains between big cities

A path at sea that boats follow regularly

An indirect way taken to avoid traffic or being seen

How Major

motorway
  • UK
9 1.8
highway
629 1.0
road
1.0
route
1.0
lane
405 1.0
trail
318 1.6
path
969 1.0

Surface Forms

route singular
routes plural

Etymology

The word route comes from an old French word for 'way' and from the Latin rupta meaning 'broken', from a verb that meant 'to break'. So a route was a path 'made by breaking through' the land, which is why it now means a road or course for travel.