noun
detour, diversion
B1
Umleitung (die Umleitung) means detour or diversion, a route that redirects traffic or pedestrians around closures. 'Detour' for road diversions, 'diversion' for rerouting generally. Feminine noun; plural Umleitungen, regular declension. Common in traffic contexts; often paired with the verb umleiten (to divert). No special preposition.
Examples
Die Umleitung führt durch die Nebenstraßen.
The diversion takes you through the side streets.
Wegen einer Baustelle folgten die Autofahrer der Umleitung, weil die Hauptstraße gesperrt war.
Because of a construction site, drivers followed the detour since the main road was closed.
Es gibt eine Umleitung.
There is a detour.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a road sign with a big arrow directing cars off the main road onto an alternative route
sounds like 'you-lee-tung' — imagine a 'you lead' sign redirecting traffic
die Umleitung — think of a red 'die' traffic sign (feminine 'die' as a female traffic warden pointing the way)
Notes
Common on road signs and public-transport announcements. Plural 'Umleitungen' is often used when multiple alternative routes exist.