wayside

noun

way·​side ˈwā-ˌsīd How to pronounce wayside (audio)
: the side of or land adjacent to a road or path
wayside adjective
Phrases
by the wayside
: out of consideration : into a condition of neglect or disuse
usually used with fall

Examples of wayside in a Sentence

Flowers grew along the wayside.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That pact is now broken, and as the school seeks alternative routes, several researchers worry that some of the most important science will be the fastest to fall by the wayside. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025 Did that quickly fall by the wayside? Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025 Some things do fall by the wayside, and people take it personally. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 10 Oct. 2025 Yeah, that this march toward inevitable normalization between Arab states and Israel will not proceed and leave Palestinians by the wayside. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wayside

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wayside was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wayside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wayside. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

wayside

noun
way·​side ˈwā-ˌsīd How to pronounce wayside (audio)
: the side or border of a road or path
wayside adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on wayside

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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