pedestrian

[puh-des-tree-uhn]

noun

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

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

/ pɪˈdɛstrɪən /

noun

1. 1. a person travelling on foot; walker

   2. ( as modifier )

      a pedestrian precinct

adjective

1. dull; commonplace

   a pedestrian style of writing

Other Word Forms

• nonpedestrian noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedestrian¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedestrian¹

C18: from Latin pedester, from pēs foot

Example Sentences

The proposed development will include new food and drink spots, and a pedestrian route connecting Cullum Street to Fen Court.

From BBC

Two people were killed and a suspected terrorist was shot dead by police after a car was driven at pedestrians outside a synagogue in Manchester.

From BBC

Chaminade has phases planned for construction that will include a pedestrian bridge to link its main campus across the street with the new fields.

From Los Angeles Times

Self-driving vehicles have sparked safety concerns and drawn scrutiny at times, including after a 2023 incident in which a pedestrian was seriously injured by a Cruise vehicle.

From Los Angeles Times

Emergency services including the air ambulance attended, but the pedestrian was pronounced dead.

From BBC

Related Words

• banal 
• humdrum 
• mediocre 
• mundane 
• plodding www.thesaurus.com
• prosaic 

When To Use

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?