bystander

noun

by·​stand·​er ˈbī-ˌstan-dər 

: one who is present but not taking part in a situation or event : a chance spectator

innocent bystanders who were injured in the shooting

Synonyms

• observer
• spectator
• viewer

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

Videos from bystanders appeared to capture on person running across a rooftop of a nearby building on the campus, called the Losee Center, located around 140 yards from the stage were Kirk was speaking from. —Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025

While these hoaxes mostly ended up being false alarms, experts note that these types of hoaxes are not only a serious crime with substantial penalties for those involved but can also put first responders and bystanders at risk. —ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025

Just before the end of one of the videos, a person can be seen walking over to Taddese and the two bystanders and firing rounds from a weapon. —Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025

Because that's not what any of us are seeing in any of the bystander videos that have been made. —Steve Inskeep, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bystander

• commander
• expander
• highlander
• leander
• meander
• philander
• brander
• candor
• dander
• gander
• grander
• hander

Kids Definition

bystander

noun

by·​stand·​er -ˌstan-dər 

: a person standing near but taking no part in what is happening