Bypass

A Bypass is a highway that avoids (passes by) an urbanized area to allow through traffic to flow without interference from local traffic. However, in the absence of strong land use controls, the bypass may become just as congested as the local streets it was intended to avoid.

In telecommunication, the term bypass has the following meanings:

1. The use of any telecommunications facilities or services that circumvents those of the local exchange common carrier.

Note: Bypass facilities or services may be either customer-provided or vendor-supplied.

2. An alternate circuit that is routed around equipment or system component.

Note: Bypasses are often used to allow system operation to continue when the bypassed equipment or a system component is inoperable or unavailable.

Source: from Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188

A heart bypass is a surgical procedure. See Coronary artery bypass surgery.