ˈbī 
before consonants also bə
1
: in proximity to : near
standing by the window
2
a
: 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
3
a
: during the course of
studied by night
b
: not later than
be there by 2 p.m.
4
a
: 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
6
a
: 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 b
multiply 10 by 4
a room 15 feet by 20 feet
8
a
: 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
b
chiefly Scotland
: in comparison with : beside
10
—used as a function word to indicate successive units or increments
little by little
walk two by two
11
: in the opinion of : from the point of view of
OK by me
variants
or bye
1
: being off the main route : side
a by passage
2
: incidental
by effects
Synonyms
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?
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
The iconic performer opted for a simple — at least by her glamorous standards — outfit to grace the cover of the holiday album.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023
Sullivan picked the issue back up on July 13 while traveling with Biden in Helsinki, speaking by phone with Trọng, the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
—Josh Boak and Aamer Madhani, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023
But Sabalenka was reduced to the role of foil by the fans in 23,000-capacity Arthur Ashe Stadium.
—Howard Fendrich, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2023
The powerful storm, which has fluctuated in intensity throughout its time over the open Atlantic, is expected to become a very dangerous Category 4 by late Sunday or early Monday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.
—Taylor Ward, CNN, 10 Sep. 2023
Scott, who has never been married, brushed aside chatter about his personal life as highlighted in a recent article by the website Axios, for example.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2023
The 34-year-old has been seen several times since then, by physical witnesses and on surveillance tapes, according to police.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2023
On Tuesday, Bigi (formerly known as Blanket), 21, was joined by his brother Prince, 26, as the two made a rare appearance in Las Vegas to honor their late father.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023
Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023
His tenure was thoroughly Finnish, with repertoire heavy on homegrown composers, but also pioneering in his commitment to works by, for example, Shostakovich.
—Joshua Barone, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2023
Cavalcante, 34, escaped the Chester County Prison by, in part, crab-walking up a wall, passing over a roof and blasting through razor wire on Aug. 31.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
The six episodes fly by, and by the end I was fully invested in Kwabena and his path.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
Open the front door and there was a train roaring by; open a window at the back of the house and yet another train would thunder by, right before your eyes.
—Haruki Murakami, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2023
This year, not only did a tropical storm roll by, but an unseasonable rainstorm followed within the week.
—Alden Wicker, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2023
As the drone flew by, the soldiers took photos and uploaded them to the app’s server for analysis and classification.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2023
The reception was the same on the red carpet, with fans cheering him on enthusiastically — however, just outside the carpet a group of protesters walked by.
—Variety, NBC News, 5 Sep. 2023
Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 25 July 2023
Both Merlin and Pocock confirmed that they have been closely observed or even intimidated by guards and security (including an F-16 fly-by).
—Matt Blitz, Popular Mechanics, 23 Mar. 2023
They were quickly joined by passers-by and even a business owner who dashed across the park.
—George Castle, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2023
New York City, where sidewalks have long been overrun by foul-smelling heaps of garbage bags that force passers-by to yield to oncoming rat traffic, is about to try a not-so-novel idea to solve the problem.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 3 May 2023
There were signs both supporting and decrying the former president stuck to posts, one urging passers-by to donate to help fund Trump’s presidential library and another showing a shouting Trump behind bars.
—BostonGlobe.com, 4 Apr. 2023
The event closed with a fly-by over the palace.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 2 June 2022
Surround the walkway with midsize shrubs and flowers; passers-by will notice plant groupings more than individual flowers, making a greater streetside impact.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023
Make that a sail-by.
—Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022
David Beard, Car and Driver, 7 Feb. 2023
Running backs coach Mike Jinks reiterated USC wants to employ less of a by-committee approach this fall, and Ingram has the look of a workhorse, with the ability to do damage in space and between the tackles.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2021
About 500 fast charging stalls will go live the by end of this year, GM said.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 28 Apr. 2021
But even Alabama must face this stark reality: Smith, Waddle and Harris were generational talents capable of being replaced only with a by-committee approach.
—USA Today, 16 Apr. 2021
Clouds will increase by evening as the next rainy front approaches.
—oregonlive, 29 Apr. 2020
Partly sunny skies emerge for all by afternoon as temperatures struggle to move past the 30s to low 40s for highs.
—Matt Rogers, Washington Post, 10 Dec. 2019
Horton was a familiar face in the community by sight, if not by name.
—Susan Hoffman, Daily Pilot, 15 July 2019
JoJo’ Robar, if not by name then by description — that guy with the 200-watt smile and his three-wheeled bike who rode all over, collecting cans and friends.
—Bill Leukhardt, Courant Community, 13 June 2018
See More
Preposition
At least Staley was to the point when asked of his appraisal of the performance by Jackson, who spent the majority of last season injured.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
The iconic performer opted for a simple — at least by her glamorous standards — outfit to grace the cover of the holiday album.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023
Sullivan picked the issue back up on July 13 while traveling with Biden in Helsinki, speaking by phone with Trọng, the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
—Josh Boak and Aamer Madhani, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023
But Sabalenka was reduced to the role of foil by the fans in 23,000-capacity Arthur Ashe Stadium.
—Howard Fendrich, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2023
The powerful storm, which has fluctuated in intensity throughout its time over the open Atlantic, is expected to become a very dangerous Category 4 by late Sunday or early Monday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.
—Taylor Ward, CNN, 10 Sep. 2023
Scott, who has never been married, brushed aside chatter about his personal life as highlighted in a recent article by the website Axios, for example.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2023
The 34-year-old has been seen several times since then, by physical witnesses and on surveillance tapes, according to police.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2023
On Tuesday, Bigi (formerly known as Blanket), 21, was joined by his brother Prince, 26, as the two made a rare appearance in Las Vegas to honor their late father.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023
Adverb
Pisces February 19-March 20 Even the most boring tasks can presently fly by in the blink of an eye.
—Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023
His tenure was thoroughly Finnish, with repertoire heavy on homegrown composers, but also pioneering in his commitment to works by, for example, Shostakovich.
—Joshua Barone, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2023
Cavalcante, 34, escaped the Chester County Prison by, in part, crab-walking up a wall, passing over a roof and blasting through razor wire on Aug. 31.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
The six episodes fly by, and by the end I was fully invested in Kwabena and his path.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
Open the front door and there was a train roaring by; open a window at the back of the house and yet another train would thunder by, right before your eyes.
—Haruki Murakami, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2023
This year, not only did a tropical storm roll by, but an unseasonable rainstorm followed within the week.
—Alden Wicker, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2023
As the drone flew by, the soldiers took photos and uploaded them to the app’s server for analysis and classification.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2023
The reception was the same on the red carpet, with fans cheering him on enthusiastically — however, just outside the carpet a group of protesters walked by.
—Variety, NBC News, 5 Sep. 2023
Noun
The city has decided to pay by the ton instead of the by yard, at least partly because the per-yard increases are steeper -- rising by 19 percent this year, 4 percent next year and 4 percent in 2025.
—Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 25 July 2023
Both Merlin and Pocock confirmed that they have been closely observed or even intimidated by guards and security (including an F-16 fly-by).
—Matt Blitz, Popular Mechanics, 23 Mar. 2023
They were quickly joined by passers-by and even a business owner who dashed across the park.
—George Castle, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2023
New York City, where sidewalks have long been overrun by foul-smelling heaps of garbage bags that force passers-by to yield to oncoming rat traffic, is about to try a not-so-novel idea to solve the problem.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 3 May 2023
There were signs both supporting and decrying the former president stuck to posts, one urging passers-by to donate to help fund Trump’s presidential library and another showing a shouting Trump behind bars.
—BostonGlobe.com, 4 Apr. 2023
The event closed with a fly-by over the palace.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 2 June 2022
Surround the walkway with midsize shrubs and flowers; passers-by will notice plant groupings more than individual flowers, making a greater streetside impact.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023
Make that a sail-by.
—Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022
Adjective
In theory, the manual should be a lap-time penalty, and the data shows our by-hand gearchanges losing some time to the automatic's quick shifts.
—David Beard, Car and Driver, 7 Feb. 2023
Running backs coach Mike Jinks reiterated USC wants to employ less of a by-committee approach this fall, and Ingram has the look of a workhorse, with the ability to do damage in space and between the tackles.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2021
About 500 fast charging stalls will go live the by end of this year, GM said.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 28 Apr. 2021
But even Alabama must face this stark reality: Smith, Waddle and Harris were generational talents capable of being replaced only with a by-committee approach.
—USA Today, 16 Apr. 2021
Clouds will increase by evening as the next rainy front approaches.
—oregonlive, 29 Apr. 2020
Partly sunny skies emerge for all by afternoon as temperatures struggle to move past the 30s to low 40s for highs.
—Matt Rogers, Washington Post, 10 Dec. 2019
Horton was a familiar face in the community by sight, if not by name.
—Susan Hoffman, Daily Pilot, 15 July 2019
JoJo’ Robar, if not by name then by description — that guy with the 200-watt smile and his three-wheeled bike who rode all over, collecting cans and friends.
—Bill Leukhardt, Courant Community, 13 June 2018
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'by.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Preposition, Adverb, Noun, and Adjective
Middle English, preposition & adverb, from Old English, preposition, be, bī; akin to Old High German bī by, near, Latin ambi- on both sides, around, Greek amphi
Interjection
short for goodbye
First Known Use
Preposition
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adverb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b
Noun
1567, in the meaning defined above
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Interjection
1709, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of by was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing by
Articles Related to by
Dictionary Entries Near by
Cite this Entry
“By.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
by
1 of 3 preposition
(ˈ)bī
especially before consonants bə
1
: close to : near
by the sea
2
a
: so as to go along or through
by a different route
enter by the door
b
: past entry 2 sense 2
went right by them
4
: through the means or agency of
by force
5
: according to sense 1
by the rules
called by a different name
6
: with respect to
a doctor by profession
7
: to or in the amount or length of
win by a nose
sold by the pound
8
: in a series of
walk two by two
9
—used as a function word in multiplication and division and in measurements
divide 6 by 2
a room 15 feet by 20 feet
10
: in the opinion of
it's fine by me
by
2 of 3 adverb1
a
: close at hand : near
standing by
b
: at or to another's home
stop by for a chat
2
: past entry 4
cars went by
3
: aside entry 1 sense 2
putting some money by
More from Merriam-Webster on by
Nglish: Translation of by for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of by for Arabic Speakers
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