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.
Before arriving at Maranatha Baptist Church for a private funeral service, bystanders of all ages were seen lining the streets of Plains to show their affection. Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Jan. 2025 The Cowboys have routinely been a bystander in free agency — even more so in 2024. Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025 Seconds later, fuel canisters and fireworks packed into the truck’s bed exploded, slightly wounding seven bystanders. Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025 The pickup truck attack that killed 14 bystanders in New Orleans' French Quarter on New Year's is part of a persistent global trend of using vehicles as weapons. Avery Lotz, Axios, 2 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near bystander

Cite this Entry

“Bystander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bystander. Accessed 18 Jan. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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