pedestrian

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adjective pe·des·tri·an \ pə-ˈde-strē-ən \

Definition of pedestrian

1 :commonplace, unimaginative

his sentences and phrases are too often pedestrian, commonplace, and flat
—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

2 a :going or performed on foot

pedestrian traffic

a pedestrian tour of the village

b :of, relating to, or designed for walking

a pedestrian mall

a pedestrian bridge

See pedestrian defined for English-language learners

See pedestrian defined for kids

Examples of pedestrian in a Sentence

He lived a pedestrian life, working at the paper mill and living in his trailer.
pedestrian concerns like paying the bills and getting the kids to school on time

Recent Examples of pedestrian from the Web

Other changes, compared to the more pedestrian S60, include some fancy Öhlins dampers and some other suspension tweaks, a carbon fiber strut brace, and new optimized steering.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "The 2017 S60 Polestar is a most intriguing car," 29 Aug. 2017
Clarendon Hills officials have applied for a grant to help replace the pedestrian bridge over Flagg Creek at Eastern and Harris avenues.

— chuck fieldman, chicagotribune.com, "Clarendon Hills seeks grant to help replace Flagg Creek pedestrian bridge," 22 Aug. 2017
Eclipse hopefuls have been foiled by events as perilous as war and as pedestrian as cloudy weather.

— rebecca boyle, The Atlantic, "America in the Shadows," 21 Aug. 2017
People walk down a wide, pedestrian path in the center of the street but cars can travel on either side.

— barry hatton and joseph wilson, Esquire, "What We Know About the Van Attack that Killed 13 People in Barcelona," 17 Aug. 2017
In a vacant parcel on the station’s southern side sit portions of the pedestrian bridges that, once assembled and set in place, will carry riders across the busy toll road to the station’s entrance.

— lori aratani, Washington Post, "Three years after opening, the Silver Line struggles to attract riders," 29 July 2017
The existing parking lot will be vacated and a warehouse on the corner lot will be demolished. The parking deck and office building will be connected by a pedestrian bridge across 4th Avenue South to Children's existing Park Place building.

— kelly poe, AL.com, "Children's of Alabama to build 12-story parking deck, 6-story office building," 28 July 2017
There's nothing really to see at this point — just some stylish snaps of a lovingly pedestrian-looking console.

— matt peckham, Time, "this year's upcoming SNES Classic," 18 July 2017
The installation not only brings a dose of bright color to the city center but also improves pedestrian safety in the area.

— brennan long, Southern Living, "Southern Street Art You Don’t Want To Miss," 11 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pedestrian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

How Should You Use pedestrian?

Most of us know pedestrian as a noun meaning someone who travels on foot. But the adjective sense of pedestrian as defined here is actually its original meaning. To be pedestrian was to be drab or dull, as if plodding along on foot rather than speeding on horseback or by coach. Pedestrian is often used to describe a colorless or lifeless writing style, but it can also describe politicians, public tastes, personal qualities, or possessions. In comparison with the elaborate stage shows put on by today's rock artists, for instance, most of the stage presentations of 1960s rock stars seem pedestrian.

Origin and Etymology of pedestrian

Latin pedestr-, pedester, literally, going on foot, from ped-, pes foot — more at foot

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1716

See Words from the same year

pedestrian Synonyms

pedestrian

noun

Definition of pedestrian

:a person going on foot :walker

See pedestrian defined for English-language learners

Examples of pedestrian in a Sentence

The car slid off the road and almost hit a group of pedestrians.

Recent Examples of pedestrian from the Web

The philosophy includes interrupting violence with traffic and pedestrian stops.

— jsonline.com, "Trust damaged between Milwaukee police and community, Department of Justice draft report says," 30 Aug. 2017
The Albion and pedestrian crossings will be closed.

— jennie key, Cincinnati.com, "Rail at a crossroad: Glendale's quiet zone is on track," 29 Aug. 2017
Pedestrian access to South Miami Park is so limited that someone created an entrance by cutting a hole in the fence surrounding the park.

— linda robertson, miamiherald, "Instead of paving paradise with a parking lot, these folks are beautifying ugly spaces," 29 Aug. 2017
Meanwhile, the Royals couldn’t make a dent against yet another pitcher with pedestrian numbers, Tampa Bay rookie Austin Pruitt, who entered the game 6-4 with a 5.76 ERA.

— vahe gregorian, kansascity, "Drooping Royals extend slapstick scoreless streak," 28 Aug. 2017
The Mayor’s Office said the city hopes to keep this bridge open during Art Museum operating hours on Sept. 2 and 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but may be forced to close the bridge during periods of heavy pedestrian traffic.

— jan hefler, Philly.com, "City announces road closures, public transit for Made in America festival," 28 Aug. 2017
And in London, there have been three incidences of murder-by-vehicle: In March, 52-year-old Khalid Masood drove into pedestrians on Westminister Bridge, killing four before being shot by police.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Suspected Terrorists Attacked Police in Brussels, London," 26 Aug. 2017
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and killed in Marion County on Friday, Alabama State Troopers said.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "90-year-old pedestrian fatally struck by a vehicle in Marion County," 25 Aug. 2017
That could make breathing hard for bikers and pedestrians with asthma or other respiratory diseases.

— barbra rodriguez, Science | AAAS, "Roadside trees trap asthma-inducing pollutants," 23 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of pedestrian

see ¹pedestrian

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1770

See Words from the same year

PEDESTRIAN Defined for English Language Learners

pedestrian

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adjective

Definition of pedestrian for English Language Learners

: not interesting or unusual
: relating to or designed for people who are walking

pedestrian

noun

Definition of pedestrian for English Language Learners

: a person who is walking in a city, along a road, etc.

PEDESTRIAN Defined for Kids

pedestrian

play

noun pe·des·tri·an \ pə-ˈdes-trē-ən \

Definition of pedestrian for Students

:a person who is walking

Word Root of pedestrian

The Latin word pes, meaning “foot,” and its form pedis give us the root ped. A pedestrian is a person who travels on foot. Before trains, planes, and cars, an expedition, or journey, was often carried out by foot. An impediment makes movement or progress difficult, as if getting in the way of the feet.