by

strong /baɪ/ weak /bɪ/, /bə/ preposition

Definition

DO › used to show the person or thing that does something: She was examined by a doctor. The building had been destroyed by fire. a painting by Van Gogh

HOW › through doing or using something: Can I pay by cheque? I sent it by email. We'll get there by car. [+ doing sth] Open the file by clicking on the icon.

HOLDING › holding a particular part of someone or something: She grabbed me by the arm.

NEAR › near or next to something or someone: I'll meet you by the post office. A small child stood by her side.

NOT LATER › not later than a particular time or date: Applications have to be in by the 31st.

ACCORDING TO › according to: By law you must be eighteen to purchase alcohol.

PAST › past: He sped by me on a motorcycle.

AMOUNT › used to show measurements or amounts: twelve by ten metres of floor space Interest rates have been increased by 0.25%. I'm paid by the hour. Copies have sold by the million.

by accident/chance/mistake, etc › as a result of an accident/chance/mistake, etc: I went to the wrong room by mistake.

by day/night › during the day/night

day by day/little by little/one by one, etc › used in particular phrases to mean 'gradually' or 'in units of': Day by day he grew stronger.

(Definition of by preposition from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)