pedestrian

1 of 2

adjective

pe·​des·​tri·​an pə-ˈde-strē-ən How to pronounce pedestrian (audio)
1
: commonplace, unimaginative
his sentences and phrases are too often pedestrian, commonplace, and flatThe 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

pedestrian

2 of 2

noun

: a person going on foot : walker

Did you know?

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.

Examples of pedestrian in a Sentence

Adjective 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 Noun The car slid off the road and almost hit a group of pedestrians.
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.
Adjective
Arsenal were distinctly pedestrian in their 1-0 win against Manchester United in their Premier League opener on Sunday, with new signing Viktor Gyokeres still looking out of sync with the rest of team after his $86m move from Sporting Club. Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025 The unusual start time—one that was especially onerous to viewers on the West Coast—limited Woods’ live deliveries to a rather pedestrian 10.8 million viewers. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
Herbert is playing outstanding football, and while their running game has been very pedestrian, their air attack is looking good. Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 Zoo officials have said reopening the western entrance could expand access for pedestrians, cyclists and others who live close to City Park. John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pedestrian

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1716, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pedestrian was in 1716

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pedestrian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedestrian. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pedestrian

1 of 2 adjective
pe·​des·​tri·​an pə-ˈdes-trē-ən How to pronounce pedestrian (audio)
1
: not interesting : ordinary
2
a
: going on foot
b
: of, relating to, or designed for walking
pedestrian traffic
a pedestrian mall
pedestrianism
-trē-ə-ˌniz-əm
noun

pedestrian

2 of 2 noun
: a person who is walking
Etymology

Adjective

from Latin pedestr-, pedestris "going on foot," from ped-, pes "foot" — related to centipede, impede, pawn entry 1, pedal

More from Merriam-Webster on pedestrian

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