passerby

noun

pass·​er·​by ˌpa-sər-ˈbī How to pronounce passerby (audio)
ˈpa-sər-ˌbī
plural passersby ˌpa-sərz-ˈbī How to pronounce passerby (audio)
ˈpa-sərz-ˌbī
: one who passes by
A passerby saw the accident and offered to help.

Examples of passerby in a Sentence

A passerby saw the accident and stopped to help. Passersby were asked if they were registered to vote.
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.
According to the agency, a passerby reported seeing what looked like a dead mother bear with the two bear cubs May 16 in the Oglethorpe Mountain Road area. Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025 Community members of the nearest inhabitable land to the spill site in Plaquemines Parish tell CBS News leaks like the Well #59 incident happen frequently, and that many oil leaks can continue to spill for quite some time, until a passerby happens to see them. Dan Ruetenik, CBS News, 5 May 2025 Prosecutors showed video of the confrontation that was captured on business surveillance cameras and cellphone footage shot by a passerby. Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025 To prevent the knifeman from wounding others, the passerby wrestled the attacker to the ground and held him there until the police could come and arrest him. Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for passerby

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of passerby was in 1567

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Cite this Entry

“Passerby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passerby. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

passerby

noun
pass·​er·​by ˌpas-ər-ˈbī How to pronounce passerby (audio)
plural passersby ˌpas-ərz- How to pronounce passerby (audio)
: one who passes by

More from Merriam-Webster on passerby

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