Definition/Meaning of by

• English - Preposition: by Near or next to . The mailbox is by the bus stop . At some time before (the given time), or before the end of a given time interval . Be back by ten o'clock! We will send it by the first week of July . Indicates the actor in a clause with its verb in the passive voice : Through the action or presence of . The matter was decided by the chairman . The boat was swamped by the water . He was…
• English - Adverb: by ( not comparable ) Along a path which runs by the speaker . I watched as it passed by . In the vicinity , near . There was a shepherd close by . The shop is hard by the High Street . Joseph Conrad , Heart of Darkness [The helmsman] steered with no end of a swagger while you were by ; but if he lost sight of you , he became instantly the prey of an abject funk [ … ] To or at a place , as a…
• English - Adjective: by ( not comparable ) Out of the way , subsidiary . Antonyms main , principal Derived terms bypass byroad bystander byway
• English - Noun: by ( plural bys ) ( card games ) A pass
• English - Interjection: by Alternative spelling of bye