sidewalk

American  

[sahyd-wawk] / ˈsaɪdˌwɔk /

noun

• sidewalks
  plural

1. a walk, especially a paved one, at the side of a street or road.

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sidewalk British  

/ ˈsaɪdˌwɔːk /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): pavement.  a hard-surfaced path for pedestrians alongside and a little higher than a road

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• sidewalks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sidewalk

First recorded in 1660–70; side ¹ + walk

Explanation

A sidewalk is a paved path for walking, often alongside a road. If your neighborhood has sidewalks, it's easier and safer to take a little jog. While English speakers in other parts of the world might use words like footpath or pavement instead, North Americans typically use sidewalk. Most sidewalks are slightly higher than the street and are often separated from them by a curb or a strip of grass. There is some historical evidence that Ancient Greece had sidewalks, though the word itself dates from about 1740.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sidewalk sidewalks

When he opened up the shop Friday morning, Ramirez said, he found larvae on the sidewalk and nearby trees.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Several children sleep on mattresses along the sidewalk in front of the home.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

It’s been galvanizing to hear cheers on the sidewalk and realize that a crowd has been watching a match.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

I put the juicer on the sidewalk at the bottom of our stoop with a “Free” sign.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026

I follow them down the sidewalk, zipping and unzipping my purse in nervous anticipation.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Some friendly advice to visitors to New York City: Look both ways when walking and then look again—especially for bikes and e-bikes racing on roads, bike lanes and even sidewalks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

People in the community have also reported seeing large rats, and they say traps placed along sidewalks aren't big enough to hold them.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

Angelinos tired of feces and needles on the sidewalks can look forward to more of the same.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Saar’s studio is packed with relics gathered from sidewalks and swap meets in L.A., and from trips to Marrakesh, Mexico, Nigeria, Haiti and Brazil.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

I just watch all the restaurants and coffee shops and bars lining the tiny sidewalks.

From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya

Related Words

• boardwalk
• pavement
• walkway