detour

[ dee-toor, dih-toor ]

noun

1. a roundabout or circuitous way or course, especially one used temporarily when the main route is closed.
2. an indirect or roundabout procedure, path, etc.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a detour; go by way of a detour.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to make a detour.
2. to make a detour around:

   We detoured Birmingham.

detour

/ ˈdiːtʊə /

noun

1. a deviation from a direct, usually shorter route or course of action

verb

1. to deviate or cause to deviate from a direct route or course of action

Word History and Origins

Origin of detour¹

1730–40 < French détour, Old French destor, derivative of destorner to turn aside, equivalent to des- de- + torner to turn

Word History and Origins

Origin of detour¹

C18: from French détour, from Old French destorner to divert, turn away, from des- de- + torner to turn

Example Sentences

Trump took a major detour to visit Rogan in Austin, Texas, causing him to show up almost three hours late to a rally in Traverse City, Michigan, a crucial swing state where both he and his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, have been campaigning hard.

From BBC

“I would do a two-hour detour each way if it meant Trump not being president,” said Kimmel, executive producer of Comedy Central’s “Crank Yankers,” whose brother, TV host Jimmy Kimmel, has endorsed Harris.

From Los Angeles Times

That road to self-discovery started with a detour.

From Los Angeles Times

But when he takes a detour into a specific event, prompting you to wonder where we might be going, he usually manages to loop back to the main road.

From Los Angeles Times

After all, it wasn’t easy: it took a 3,000-mile, 13-year detour to get on the right path — all thanks to a cerulean doughnut truck covered in sprinkles.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deviation
• diversion