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
Milwaukee Common Council members probed police officials over the department's pursuit policy, about two weeks after a police chase ended with three bystanders killed.
—
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Video circulating on social media and geolocated by CNN appeared to show armed police officers shouting instructions at bystanders and worshippers inside the synagogue while pointing their weapons at a person lying on the ground.
—Peter Wilkinson, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
What To Know Witnesses said a bystander held Elibol’s head until a nurse arrived to treat him, and paramedics later took him to the hospital.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
First responders and a bystander performed chest compressions on Vasquez for more than five minutes before emergency medical personnel took over, according to the video of the scene.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bystander
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.
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Video circulating on social media and geolocated by CNN appeared to show armed police officers shouting instructions at bystanders and worshippers inside the synagogue while pointing their weapons at a person lying on the ground.
—Peter Wilkinson, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
What To Know Witnesses said a bystander held Elibol’s head until a nurse arrived to treat him, and paramedics later took him to the hospital.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
First responders and a bystander performed chest compressions on Vasquez for more than five minutes before emergency medical personnel took over, according to the video of the scene.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bystander
Cite this Entry
“Bystander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bystander. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bystander
noun
by·stand·er
-ˌstan-dər
: a person standing near but taking no part in what is happening
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share