The Open Dictionary

detour

noun

UK/ˈdiː.tɔːʳ/
US/ˈdiː.tʊr/

Definitions of detour noun

  1. Countable

    A route that is different or less direct than the usual one, taken to avoid a problem or to visit a place or do something along the way.

    • It would be a smart move to take a detour to avoid the road construction.

    • We had to take a detour because of the traffic jam.

    • They decided to take a detour to see the famous landmark.

  2. Countable

    An alternative route used when a road is closed to traffic.

    • Traffic was detoured onto the secondary roads due to the closure of the main highway.

    • The police implemented a detour because of an accident.

    • We had to take a detour because of road repairs.