byway

[ bahy-wey ]

noun

1. a secluded, private, or obscure road.
2. a subsidiary or obscure field of research, endeavor, etc.

byway

/ ˈbaɪˌweɪ /

noun

1. a secondary or side road, esp in the country
2. an area, field of study, etc, that is very obscure or of secondary importance

Word History and Origins

Origin of byway¹

1300–50; Middle English bywey. See by (adj.), way ¹

Example Sentences

The inquiry into social justice merely continued down more inward byways.

From Los Angeles Times

The coca farmers, along with miners and other allies, shut down La Paz, erecting roadblocks on all major highways and byways in and out of the capital and choking the economy.

From Salon

As I walked through the well-organized, welcoming tents and clean byways, I felt so proud of the students, staff and faculty who collectively made this happen.

From Seattle Times

Mr. Thornton, who has lived in the area for about 40 years, uses scanners and cameras to get bird’s-eye views of the highways and byways.

From New York Times

Department of Transportation as a national scenic and historic byway.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• artery
• avenue
• boulevard
• course
• drive
• expressway
• highway
• lane
• line
• parking lot
• pathway
• pavement
• roadway
• route
• street
• subway
• thoroughfare
• track
• trail
• way