Routes: meaning, definitions and examples
πΊοΈ
routes
[ ruΛts ]
travel paths
Routes are designated paths or directions taken to reach a destination. They can refer to the physical roads or paths chosen for travel or more abstract routes taken to achieve specific goals.
Synonyms
courses, directions, paths, ways
Examples of usage
- The delivery driver planned the best routes to reach all customers efficiently.
- During the road trip, we explored several scenic routes through the mountains.
- The hiking routes vary in difficulty and length throughout the national park.
Word origin
The word 'route' originates from the Old French word 'route,' meaning a way, path, or road, derived from the Latin word 'rupta,' which is the past participle of 'rumpere,' meaning to break. The linguistic evolution took it through Middle English before it was fully adopted in modern English. Historically, routes were vital for trade, travel, and communication, serving as key elements in the expansion of societies. The term has broadened over time to encompass not only physical travel paths but also metaphorical routes in contexts like career progression and personal development.