jaywalk

[ jey-wawk ]

verb (used without object)

1. to cross a street at a place other than a regular crossing or in a heedless manner, as diagonally or against a traffic light.

jaywalk

/ ˈdʒeɪˌwɔːk /

verb

1. intr to cross or walk in a street recklessly or illegally

Derived Forms

• ˈjayˌwalker, noun
• ˈjayˌwalking, noun

Other Words From

• jaywalker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of jaywalk¹

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20; jay ¹ + walk

Word History and Origins

Origin of jaywalk¹

C20: from jay (sense 2)

Example Sentences

I know at which crossroads there’s likely to be a blind spot for normal cars to interfere with our work, or where pedestrians are more likely to jaywalk.

From MIT Technology Review