by

preposition

1. Near or next to.

   “The mailbox is by the bus stop.”

2. From one side of something to the other, passing close by; past.

   “The stream runs by our back door.”

3. Not later than (the given time); not later than the end of (the given time interval); before.

   “Be back by ten o'clock!”

4. After a given amount of time has elapsed or a given event has occurred.

   “By February, we were all sick of the cold.”

adverb

1. Along a path which runs past someone or something.

   “I watched the parade as it passed by.”

2. In the vicinity, near.

   “There was a shepherd close by.”

3. To or at a place, as a residence or place of business.

   “I'll stop by on my way home from work.”

4. Aside, away.

   “The women spent much time after harvest putting jams by for winter and spring.”

adjective

1. Out of the way, off to one side.

   “a by path; a by room”

2. Subsidiary, incidental.

   “by catch; a by issue”

noun

1. Alternative form of bye.

interjection

1. Dated form of bye (“goodbye”).