bystander

noun

by·​stand·​er ˈbī-ˌstan-dər How to pronounce bystander (audio)
: 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
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.
Surveillance video indicates a driver intentionally crashed into a crowd on a Los Angeles street, injuring more than two dozen people before he was pulled from the vehicle by bystanders, beaten and shot, authorities said. John Bacon, USA Today, 21 July 2025 The driver, identified as Fernando Ramirez, 29, was then dragged out of his vehicle by bystanders, beaten and shot in the lower back. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 21 July 2025 Photos showed the fireworks going off nearly at ground level, and bystanders could be seen lying on the ground at the fair — which took place along the Rhine river — as emergency personnel tended to them. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 20 July 2025 Topline Thirty people were injured after a car drove into a crowd in Los Angeles early Saturday morning, prompting bystanders to attack the driver and leaving seven bystanders in critical condition, as more than 100 first responders arrived at the scene. Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bystander

Word History

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bystander was in 1584

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Cite this Entry

“Bystander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bystander. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

bystander

noun
by·​stand·​er -ˌstan-dər How to pronounce bystander (audio)
: a person standing near but taking no part in what is happening

More from Merriam-Webster on bystander

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