WordGarden.ioredirect
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˌiːdaɪrˈɛkt/
US
- /ˌridərˈɛkt/
Meanings
Verb
to send or turn someone or something to a different place, person, or route
to shift attention, a conversation, or effort toward a different subject or target
to send a web user, page request, or data flow to a different address or resource
Noun
a web instruction or response that sends a user or request to a different address
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're giving directions. If the road ahead is closed, you might redirect someone onto another route—turning them away from their original path and sending them toward a new one. This applies to much more than just roads! A website can redirect you to a different page if the one you requested no longer exists. Similarly, a teacher might redirect a student's attention back to the lesson when they become distracted. It's all about shifting the flow of movement or focus. Think of it like a traffic controller guiding things along a new, more appropriate course.
To redirect means to change the course or destination of something, whether physically, digitally, or figuratively. It implies taking something from one path and intentionally sending it to another.
In the digital world, "redirect" is a common term in web browsing. If a website address changes, the old URL might redirect you to the new one automatically, ensuring you still reach the correct content. You'll also see this in email management: if someone sends a message to an outdated address, it may be redirected to a current inbox so the communication isn't lost.
But redirection extends far beyond technology. A river's flow can be redirected by engineering new channels or dams. A conversation can be redirected when a speaker skillfully changes the topic to avoid a sensitive subject. Even your own thoughts can be redirected; if you find yourself dwelling on a negative experience, you might consciously try to redirect your focus toward something more productive or positive.
Sometimes, "redirect" implies a deliberate intervention. For instance, a mentor might redirect a student's energy toward a more promising career path. Other times, it is an automatic or systemic process, like the website link mentioned earlier. Ultimately, whether it's guiding traffic, updating web links, or shifting the focus of a meeting, to redirect is to alter the current trajectory and guide something toward a new destination.
Examples
- 1
Traffic control
Police redirected traffic around the accident.
- 2
Website forwarding
If you use the old web address, the site will redirect you to the new page.
- 3
Phone call
Let me redirect your call to the sales department.
- 4
Conversation management
She tried to redirect the conversation before it became too personal.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Emotional energy
The coach redirected the players' frustration into extra practice.
- Patternredirect something into + new use/result
turn it toward a different use or result
- 6
Public funding
This year, the city redirected money from road repairs to flood prevention.
- Patternredirect something from A to B
move it away from one purpose and use it for another
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- redirectverb
Forms
- redirectedpast tenseverb
- redirecting-ing formverb
- redirectsverb