1
general::
Phrase(s): by way of something
1. passing through something (as a place); via something. • He came home by way of Toledo. • She went to the bank by way of the drugstore. 2. in illustration; as an example. • By way of illustration, the professor drew a picture on the board. • He read them a passage from Shakespeare by way of example.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs