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.
In footage that has since gone viral, Jason approached the bystander, grabbed his phone, threw it on the ground and repeated the slur back to them. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024 Investigators believe the two men who were injured were innocent bystanders, police said. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024 Additionally, a 26-year-old woman was hospitalized after being trampled as bystanders fled. Dalia Faheid, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024 Even before his passing, in 2020, a report in Forbes.com outlined how Dr. Zimbardo extended his research to study heroism and overcoming the ‘bystander effect’ and prejudice. Eric Wood, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 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 21 Nov. 2024.

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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