The Meaning of Via: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of via? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word via, including its definition, usage, word origin, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word via mean?

According to dictionaries like the Collins English Dictionary and American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word via is a preposition that means by way of or by means of. This word can be used literally and figuratively to describe traveling as well as reaching a conclusion. The pronunciation of the word via ia ˈvaɪə.

There are many other languages that contain words that mean via. You may notice that many of these words look similar to each other. This is likely because they have a common root or origin. Often, cognates – which are words that look, sound, and mean similar things across languages – are formed when words share a common ancestor, usually in Latin or Greek. This list of translations for the word via is provided by Word Sense.

  •  German: über‎, durch‎, via‎
  •  Russian: че́рез‎ (+ accusative case), сквозь‎ (+ accusative case)
  •  Swedish: via‎
  •  Mandarin: 經由‎, 经由‎ (jīngyóu), 通過‎, 通过‎ (tōngguò)
  •  Czech: přes‎
  •  Hebrew: דֶּרֶךְ‎ (dérekh)
  •  Arabic: بِوَاسِطَة‎ (bewaseṭa), عَن طَرِيق‎
  •  Romanian: via‎
  •  Japanese: 経由‎, 経て‎
  •  Scottish Gaelic: taobh‎
  •  Maori: mā‎
  •  Telugu: వయా‎
  •  Slovene: via‎
  •  Dutch: via‎, langs‎
  •  Finnish: kautta‎
  •  Malay: melalui‎
  •  Macedonian: преку‎
  •  Portuguese: via‎
  •  Spanish: vía‎
  •  French: via‎

How can the word via be used in a sentence?

The word via can be used in different sentences in American English and British English. Using a new word in a sentence is a great way to memorize its meaning. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today so that you can remember its definition and continue to use it in your everyday speech. Below are many examples of via. 

We traveled from Paris to London via the highway. The main road was too crowded.

I shipped the layers of clothes to the addressee via airmail as opposed to a private courier or normal postal service. This is the easiest way for it to reach the Island of Llanddwyn from Harrogate. The passengers should arrive by tomorrow.

Heathrow was shut down so Daisy had to travel via hub airports instead. International tourism was proving difficult with the recent medical conclusion.

In the novel, Borisy traveled to the Milky-Way Galaxy via a wormhole. His sister Janet was waiting for him in the golden sands of Ancient Rome.

The electronics conduct via a printed circuit board and the wires go through the small hole in the PC. 

The coaches hydrated the team via the refreshment hamper. 

The hair donors gave hair to those suffering baldness via a transplant in the resident network. 

What are synonyms and antonyms for the word via?

There are numerous different words that can be used in place of the word via (ˈviə). These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning as another word or phrase. Synonyms are useful to know if you are looking to expand your vocabulary or if you are trying to avoid repeating the same word multiple times. This list of synonyms for the word via is provided by Power Thesaurus. 

  •   facing
  •   in the direction of
  •   after
  •   instrumentality
  •   with the help of
  •   interposing
  •   as a result of
  •   past
  •   interlink
  •   through this medium
  •   in the vicinity
  •   as a consequence of
  •   through the agency of
  •   by way of
  •   on the way
  •   against
  •   intercross
  •   in virtue of
  •   granted
  •   by dint of
  •   out of
  •   under the aegis of
  •   down to
  •   by the agency of
  •   over
  •   by this route
  •   on
  •   across
  •   in line with
  •   employing
  •   moving
  •   in the wake of
  •   over against
  •   coming up
  •   just before
  •   form
  •   because
  •   by reason
  •   contra
  •   fronting
  •   as a consequence
  •   menas
  •   by virtue of
  •   with
  •   in the name of
  •   by
  •   around
  •   close to
  •   thru
  •   along
  •   based on
  •   by use of
  •   utilizing
  •   for the sake of
  •   thanks to
  •   in view of
  •   with the assistance of
  •   with the aid of
  •   as per
  •   by reason of
  •   supported by
  •   headed for
  •   because of
  •   at
  •   per
  •   through the medium of
  •   through
  •   interlinking
  •   for
  •   throughout
  •   in relation to
  •   en route
  •   due to the fact
  •   arises from
  •   in consequence of
  •   at the hand of
  •   to
  •   thereby
  •   as a means
  •   due to
  •   itinerary word
  •   in
  •   given
  •   owing to
  •   interconnexion
  •   upon
  •   using
  •   transversing
  •   eyehole
  •   on the road to
  •   round
  •   as a result
  •   attributable to
  •   following
  •   by means of
  •   in accordance with
  •   caused by
  •   at a time of
  •   as
  •   moss

There are also numerous different words that have the opposite meaning as the word via. These opposite words  are called antonyms. Antonyms are also a useful tool in expanding one’s English language vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word via is also provided by Power Thesaurus

  •  despite
  •  on the contrary
  •  even after
  •  in opposition to
  •  undeterred by
  •  irrespective of
  •  in spite of
  •  on another note
  •  notwithstanding
  •  in contempt of
  •  even with
  •  contrary to
  •  in contrast with
  •  in the face of
  •  however
  •  despite of
  •  with
  •  in defiance of
  •  heedless of
  •  in despite of
  •  counter to
  •  in the contrary case
  •  no matter
  •  as opposed to
  •  in the teeth of
  •  even though
  •  as an alternative
  •  without being affected by
  •  regardless of

What is the origin of the word via?

According to Etymonline, the word via has been used cinde c18 and comes from the Latin via/Latin viā, the ablative form of via. These come from Proto-Indo-European roots in wegh. This is a cognate with vehere and vī, of uncertain origin.

Overall, the word via means by way of something or by means of something. This word can be used literally and figuratively. 

Sources:

  1. Via synonyms – 280 Words and Phrases for Via | Power Thesaurus 
  2. Via antonyms – 29 Opposites of Via | Power Thesaurus 
  3. via | Origin and meaning of via by Online Etymology Dictionary 
  4. via: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
  5. Via definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary