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
- nonpedestrian noun
Etymology
Origin of pedestrian
1710–20; < Latin pedestri- (stem of pedester on foot, derivative of pēs (stem ped- ); pedi- ) + -an
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.
Montgomery County Police responded to a call Sunday saying a pedestrian had been struck by a car.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
While today’s numbers look pedestrian, it’s about where the indexes came from: The Nasdaq was down nearly 2.2% at its low on Thursday, while the S&P was down 1.5%.
From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026
It was a pedestrian start to Littler's semi-final with Van Gerwen, with the Dutchman taking time to warm up having received a bye due to Gian van Veen having to pull out with kidney stones.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
The timber and wood products play is having a pedestrian 2026 so far, with a return of 2%.
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
Fred moved with determination along the pedestrian walkway on the Golden Gate Bridge, oblivious to the dirty glances from slow-walking tourists as he elbowed his way past them.
From "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar
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.
