by
preposition
\ ˈbī
, before consonants also bə\
, before consonants also bə\
Definition of by
(Entry 1 of 5)
1
: in proximity to : near
standing by the window
2a
: into the vicinity of and beyond : past
went right by him
b
: through or through the medium (see medium entry 1 sense 2) of : via
enter by the door
c
: in the direction of : toward
sailed north by east
3a
: during the course of
studied by night
b
: not later than
be there by 2 p.m.
4a
: through the agency (see agency sense 3) or instrumentality of
a poem written by Keats death by firing squad taken by force happened by luck
b
: born or begot of
had two sons by his first wife one child by her second husband
c
: sired or borne by
having foals by champion race horses
5
: with the witness or sanction (see sanction entry 1 sense 4c) of
swear by all that is holy
6a
: in conformity with
acted by the rules
b
: according to
called her by name sold by the pound
7
—used as a function word in multiplication, in division, and in measurements divide a by bmultiply 10 by 4a room 15 feet by 20 feet
8a
: with respect to
a lawyer by profession
b
: on behalf of
did right by his children
9
: in or to the amount or extent of
win by a nose
10
—used as a function word to indicate successive units or increments little by littlewalk two by two
11
: in the opinion of : from the point of view of
OK by me
by
adverb
\ ˈbī
\
\
Definition of by (Entry 2 of 5)
by
noun
\ ˈbī
\
\
variants:
or bye
plural byes\ ˈbīz
\
\
Definition of by (Entry 3 of 5)
: something of secondary importance : a side issue
by the by
by
adjective
\ ˈbī
\
\
variants:
or bye
Definition of by (Entry 4 of 5)
1
: being off the main route : side
a by passage
2
: incidental
by effects
by
interjection
\ ˈbī
\
\
variants:
or bye
Definition of by (Entry 5 of 5)
—used to express farewell —often used with following now
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms for by
Synonyms: Preposition
Synonyms: Adverb
around, close, hard, in, near, nearby, nigh
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of by in a Sentence
Preposition
His wife was sitting by him. They have a house by the lake. The bus went right by him without stopping. Some friends stopped by our house for a chat. Why don't you come by my place later?Adverb
The bus went right by without stopping. We stood and applauded as the parade went by. Why don't you come by later?
Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb
His defense will do better this time around, but not