jaywalking
noun
jay·walk·ing
ˈjā-ˌwȯ-kiŋ 
: the act of crossing a street in an illegal, careless, or unsafe manner
Sidewalks overflow with people during lunch and rush hours, intersections become clogged, and jaywalking is a Pittsburgh tradition.—
Joe Grata
—often used before another noun
Joe Gratajaywalking tickets
jaywalking laws
Examples of jaywalking in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Davis, who is Black, initially faced charges including resisting arrest and jaywalking, but was acquitted of all charges at trial.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
For example, Wallace said, police who rarely or never arrest anyone on suspicion of jaywalking can have their motives questioned for a jaywalking arrest.
—Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Mar. 2022
The criticisms and mea culpa come in the wake of a ProPublica report last month that private police in Cleveland’s medical area predominantly cite and criminally charge Black people for traffic violations and misdemeanors such as trespassing, jaywalking and possession of marijuana.
—David Armstrong, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 2020
New York City proposed a new tax on motorists, and California relaxed jaywalking restrictions and freed up land once reserved for parking spaces.
—Alice Li, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2020
Supporters of the legislation contend that jaywalking is arbitrarily enforced throughout California.
—Shwanika Narayan, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2021
This codified the modern jaywalking offense and set an example the country would soon follow.
—Alice Li, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2020
California has had one of the strictest jaywalking laws in the nation.
—Kurtis Lee, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2022
In addition to snow removal, the two residents believe the village could make low-cost changes to the downtown area to prevent jaywalking and pedestrian collisions with cars.
—Matt Leavitt, cleveland, 24 Nov. 2022
Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
For example, Wallace said, police who rarely or never arrest anyone on suspicion of jaywalking can have their motives questioned for a jaywalking arrest.
—Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Mar. 2022
The criticisms and mea culpa come in the wake of a ProPublica report last month that private police in Cleveland’s medical area predominantly cite and criminally charge Black people for traffic violations and misdemeanors such as trespassing, jaywalking and possession of marijuana.
—David Armstrong, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 2020
New York City proposed a new tax on motorists, and California relaxed jaywalking restrictions and freed up land once reserved for parking spaces.
—Alice Li, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2020
Supporters of the legislation contend that jaywalking is arbitrarily enforced throughout California.
—Shwanika Narayan, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2021
This codified the modern jaywalking offense and set an example the country would soon follow.
—Alice Li, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2020
California has had one of the strictest jaywalking laws in the nation.
—Kurtis Lee, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2022
In addition to snow removal, the two residents believe the village could make low-cost changes to the downtown area to prevent jaywalking and pedestrian collisions with cars.
—Matt Leavitt, cleveland, 24 Nov. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jaywalking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1910, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near jaywalking
Cite this Entry
“Jaywalking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jaywalking. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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