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
Witnesses could be heard giggling as Dunn darted from the cops, according to an Instagram video posted by a bystander.
—
Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The outing was shared in the Court Circular, the official record of the royal family's engagements, and one bystander caught a few photos of the King out and about in Ballater, sharing the snaps on social media.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Lawson was arrested as another officer could be seen pushing a person nearby while bystanders yelled, the video showed.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2025
When the vehicle became disabled, bystanders in the crowd dragged the driver outside the car and began to physically assault him, according to police.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bystander
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Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The outing was shared in the Court Circular, the official record of the royal family's engagements, and one bystander caught a few photos of the King out and about in Ballater, sharing the snaps on social media.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Lawson was arrested as another officer could be seen pushing a person nearby while bystanders yelled, the video showed.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2025
When the vehicle became disabled, bystanders in the crowd dragged the driver outside the car and began to physically assault him, according to police.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 4 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2025.
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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