pedestrian

American  

[puh-des-tree-uhn] / pəˈdɛs tri ən /

noun

1. a person who goes or travels on foot; walker.

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adjective

1. going or performed on foot; walking.

2. of or relating to walking.

3. lacking in vitality, imagination, distinction, etc.; commonplace; prosaic or dull.

   a pedestrian commencement speech.

pedestrian British  

/ pɪˈdɛstrɪən /

noun

1. 1. a person travelling on foot; walker

   2. ( as modifier )

      a pedestrian precinct

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adjective

1. dull; commonplace

   a pedestrian style of writing

Usage

What does pedestrian mean? A pedestrian is a person who travels by foot—a walker. The term is especially used in the context of road safety to distinguish people walking from people driving or riding bikes. In this sense, the word is also commonly used as an adjective to refer to things involving pedestrians, such as in pedestrian crossing, pedestrian safety, and pedestrian walkway. Example: Pedestrians will continue to be struck by cars unless we improve and enforce pedestrian safety laws. Pedestrian is also a negative term for something considered mediocre, uninspired, or lacking in originality. It’s especially used in artistic criticism, such as in reviews of music, movies, fashion, or food. Calling something pedestrian is typically considered an insult. Example: Don’t you think that sweater is a little pedestrian? You want to dress to impress, right?

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonpedestrian
  noun

Etymology

Origin of pedestrian

1710–20; < Latin pedestri- (stem of pedester on foot, derivative of pēs (stem ped- ); see pedi-) + -an

Explanation

A pedestrian is someone traveling by foot. If you're a pedestrian, you will likely get annoyed at the drivers who don't stop so you can cross the street. Pedestrian comes from the Latin pedester meaning "going on foot" but also "plain." As a noun, it's someone walking around — sidewalks are for pedestrians. As an adjective it means "lacking wit or imagination." If someone calls your new poem pedestrian, they mean it's dull. If you want to impress your friends while also making them feel worthless, mutter "these people are SO pedestrian," at a party, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Example Sentences

“Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be closed from West 30th Street to West 35th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue,” the New York Police Department posted on social media.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

Tisch said vehicular and pedestrian traffic inside the security perimeter will be closed starting at 4 p.m.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

While European and other international sports fans are acquainted with ease of foot travel, getting around as a pedestrian is practically impossible in the biggest stadium in the United States’ biggest metro area.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026

McFarland had left the residence before officers arrived, but officials found him shortly after on a riverfront trail near a pedestrian bridge.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

The one with the mustache opens the small pedestrian gate for us and stands back, well out of the way, and we pass through.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

• banal
• humdrum
• mediocre
• mundane
• plodding
• prosaic