detour

1 of 2

noun

de·​tour ˈdē-ˌtu̇r How to pronounce detour (audio)
also di-ˈtu̇r
Synonyms of detour
: a deviation from a direct course or the usual procedure
especially : a roundabout way temporarily replacing part of a route

detour

2 of 2

verb

detoured; detouring; detours

intransitive verb

: to proceed by a detour
detour around road construction

transitive verb

1
: to send by a circuitous route
detour traffic around an accident
2
: to avoid by going around : bypass
detour an accident site

Synonyms of detour

Relevance

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of detour in a Sentence

Noun After a number of unexpected detours, we finally arrived at our destination. The little restaurant is worth a detour. We had to make a detour around the heaviest traffic. We took a detour from the main streets. The road is closed ahead, so traffic will have to follow the detour. Verb We detoured around the heaviest traffic. A police officer was detouring traffic around the scene of the accident. Traffic will be detoured to 72nd Street.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Fewer tourists tend to venture here, but the museum is well worth the detour. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026 What followed 9/11 was, in retrospect, a series of expensive detours. — James K. Glassman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
More to Explore From Grand Marais, adventurous travelers can detour inland along the 57-mile Gunflint Trail, a scenic byway leading toward the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 7 Aug. 2026 During this time, drivers will be detoured off I-277 Inner at Exit 3A to 11th Street, before continuing back to I-277 Inner. — Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detour

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French détour, from Old French destor, from destorner to divert, from des- de- + torner to turn — more at turn

First Known Use

Noun

1738, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1836, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of detour was in 1738

Rhymes for detour

See All Rhymes for detour

Browse Nearby Words

detort
detour
detox
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detour. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

detour

1 of 2 noun
de·​tour ˈdē-ˌtu̇(ə)r How to pronounce detour (audio)
also di-ˈtu̇(ə)r
: a departure from a direct course or the usual procedure
especially : a roundabout way temporarily replacing a regular route

detour

2 of 2 verb
: to send or proceed by a detour
detour traffic around an accident

More from Merriam-Webster on detour

Nglish: Translation of detour for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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