pedestrian
Americannoun
adjective
-
going or performed on foot; walking.
-
of or relating to walking.
-
lacking in vitality, imagination, distinction, etc.; commonplace; prosaic or dull.
a pedestrian commencement speech.
noun
adjective
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
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing pedestrian
100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 1
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Body Language: Ped, Pod ("Foot")
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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:
California regulators had suspended its permit following a 2023 crash in which one of its robotaxis dragged a pedestrian several metres after she had been struck by another vehicle.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
Freedom 250 advises visitors to “anticipate effects on pedestrian movement, crowd management, emergency response operations, and navigation.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
Long before the first guests arrived, the New York Police Department closed streets surrounding the arena, restricted pedestrian access and rerouted traffic around Penn Station and Moynihan Train Hall.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
A pedestrian was killed early Saturday after they were struck by a vehicle near an offramp of the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2026
I slipped my hands into my pockets and casually walked home, another harmless pedestrian out for a stroll.
From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah
“The traffic on Whittier Blvd. is unable to expect, detect, see, perceive, react and avoid hitting pedestrians walking in the crosswalk at Orme Ave.,” the complaint said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026
The signals function like traditional traffic lights, halting drivers at busy intersection with flashing yellow lights and a solid red light while pedestrians cross, according to the L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026
Work began on Tuesday to allow pedestrians to use the pavement and a one metre section of the carriageway between Chepstow and Tutshill is now open.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
Back in Chicago, Roberts says he is fighting for the best possible outcome for pedestrians city-wide.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026
From this angle the pedestrians appear squashed from above, like deformed children.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
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.
