bystander
Americannoun
-
bystanders
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of bystander
First recorded in 1610–20; by- + stand ( def. ) + -er 1 ( def. )
Explanation
Someone who observes an event without taking part in it is a bystander. The police may want to interview any bystanders who witnessed a robbery, to get a description of the robber. A bystander does exactly what the word describes: they stand by, watching what's happening but not participating. You'll often hear the phrase "innocent bystander." For example, a newspaper might report on a fight breaking out after a football game, resulting in injuries to innocent bystanders. Before this word was coined around 1610, stander-by was common.
Vocabulary lists containing bystander
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
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"A Job for Valentin" and "In the Heart of a Hero"
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Because They Marched
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
However, as a very close bystander to the event, he feels there has to be a speedy resolution.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
A Journal review of bystander videos from Florida showed state and local officers deployed tactics similar to their federal counterparts during traffic stops, using Tasers and chokeholds and breaking vehicle windows.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
A bystander begged to help Good, to check her pulse and perform first aid.
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
TMZ published bystander video of the incident and footage of LaBeouf walking through the French Quarter hours before the brawl.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026
But I don’t feel anything, at least the me who’s a bystander here does not.
From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman
But no one has figured out a way of punishing cheats without imposing unfair costs on innocent bystanders.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
These are not neutral bystanders being swept into a media spat.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026
It described the move as a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of bystanders and the operational capabilities of authorities to counter potential drones.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
The girl was found while deputies were responding, and they took over CPR from bystanders until medics and fire personnel arrived, according to the post.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
He pushed me through the demonstrators, cops, and bystanders.
From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
