bystander
noun
by·stand·er
ˈbī-ˌstan-dər 
: one who is present but not taking part in a situation or event : a chance spectator
innocent bystanders who were injured in the shooting
Examples of bystander in a Sentence
Two innocent bystanders were injured in the shooting.
bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging
Recent Examples on the Web
Sydney stabbing: 6 dead, suspect killed in attack at major shopping mall
A 57-year-old man was dropping off customers at pier 2 when a bystander told him that his vehicle was moving forward.
—
Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2024
Footage from the fatal stabbing attack at an Australia mall shows a bystander stepping in to confront the apparent attacker.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
The cruise port bus was dropping off people near a pier when a bystander informed the driver that the bus was moving forward.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
Osborne was shot in the chest during training and was conscious as bystanders performed CPR, according to a copy of the 911 calls obtained by The Columbus Dispatch.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Did the officers firing at Wood hit any bystanders?
—Charles Rabin and, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
On the morning of April 2, a bystander called 911 after a car caught fire at 30th and Lisbon.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Two of the bystanders were listed in critical condition, while the officer was listed as stable after being shot in the leg.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 7 Apr. 2024
Once backup arrived, the mob of drivers and bystanders began to dissipate.
—Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 6 Apr. 2024
Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2024
Footage from the fatal stabbing attack at an Australia mall shows a bystander stepping in to confront the apparent attacker.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
The cruise port bus was dropping off people near a pier when a bystander informed the driver that the bus was moving forward.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
Osborne was shot in the chest during training and was conscious as bystanders performed CPR, according to a copy of the 911 calls obtained by The Columbus Dispatch.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Did the officers firing at Wood hit any bystanders?
—Charles Rabin and, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
On the morning of April 2, a bystander called 911 after a car caught fire at 30th and Lisbon.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Two of the bystanders were listed in critical condition, while the officer was listed as stable after being shot in the leg.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 7 Apr. 2024
Once backup arrived, the mob of drivers and bystanders began to dissipate.
—Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 6 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bystander.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near bystander
Cite this Entry
“Bystander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bystander. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bystander
noun
by·stand·er
-ˌstan-dər
: a person standing near but taking no part in what is happening
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