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Route
/ruːt/
fixed path or direction
The delivery driver followed the same route every day.
The driver consistently took the same predetermined path for deliveries.
general
A way or course taken for travel or transportation.
We took a scenic route through the mountains.
We traveled along a picturesque path in the mountains.
The bus route covers all major city centers.
The bus travels along a fixed path that includes all key downtown areas.
Commonly used for travel, delivery, or transportation networks.
figurative
A method or process for achieving a particular result.
There's no easy route to success.
There is no simple method or path to achieve success.
Used metaphorically to describe approaches to goals or challenges.
Engineering
technical
To send or direct along a specified path.
The network packets are routed through multiple servers.
The data packets are directed along a specific path through several servers.
Common in computing and telecommunications to describe data transmission.
Collocations
scenic routea picturesque pathbus routea fixed path for busesshipping routea path for transporting goodstrade routea path for exchanging goods
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish from 'road' and 'path'
'Route' implies a fixed or official path, often used for travel or transportation networks. 'Road' refers to a physical street, while 'path' suggests a smaller, often unpaved way.
Gold Rule
Use 'route' for fixed paths
Reserve 'route' for paths that are predetermined or official, such as bus routes, shipping routes, or travel itineraries.
Avoid abstract use
Do not use 'route' for abstract journeys or processes without a clear direction (e.g., 'the route to happiness' is less idiomatic than 'the path to happiness').
Word Origin
From Middle English 'rout' (a way or course), from Old French 'route' (road, path), from Latin 'rupta (via)' meaning 'broken way' (from 'rumpere' to break).
Usage Notes
Use 'route' for a fixed or predetermined path, especially in travel or transportation. Avoid using it for abstract journeys without a clear direction (e.g., 'life's journey' is better than 'life's route').
Word Breakdown
route
path or course
rootEnglish Dictionary