detour
de
ˈdi
di
tour
tʊr
toor
British pronunciation
/dˈiːtɔː/

Definition & Meaning of "detour"in English

Detour
01

a temporary route used to bypass a closed or blocked section of road

Dialectamerican flagAmerican
detour definition and meaning

What is a "detour"?

A detour is a temporary change in the usual route due to roadwork, an accident, or other obstacles. It directs drivers to use an alternate path to avoid a blocked or unsafe area. Detours are meant to keep traffic moving smoothly and safely, even if it means taking a longer or less direct route. Signs or signals are often placed to guide drivers along the detour and help them return to their original route once the issue is resolved.

example
Examples
They took a detour due to road construction.
She followed the detour signs to avoid the accident.
02

a shift in focus or attention away from the primary subject or task

example
Examples
The meeting took a detour when they started discussing the new project.
The conversation took a detour and moved onto a completely different topic.
03

a change or diversion from the planned path, often due to unexpected obstacles or circumstances

example
Examples
A detour added an hour to our travel time.
The GPS suggested a detour to avoid heavy traffic.
to detour
01

to take or lead on a roundabout way, especially when a more direct route is unavailable or blocked

example
Examples
The road was closed for construction, so the drivers had to detour through a nearby neighborhood.
The hikers decided to detour from the main trail to explore a scenic viewpoint.
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