wayside

noun

way·​side ˈwā-ˌsīd How to pronounce wayside (audio)
: the side of or land adjacent to a road or path
wayside adjective
Phrases
by the wayside
: out of consideration : into a condition of neglect or disuse
usually used with fall

Examples of wayside in a Sentence

Flowers grew along the wayside.
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.
What does happen is that many of the people who are ‘like Richard Kind’ are falling by the wayside. Michael Schneider, Variety, 5 June 2025 But as Musk and DOGE’s mission fell by the wayside to Trump’s tax cut package, which is expected to add trillions to the national debt, the tech billionaire has pivoted harder back toward his business empire. Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 29 May 2025 The reality on the ground, however, has been more nuanced, with some initiatives quietly falling by the wayside, rejected by voters and municipal leaders or landing under explicit attack by the Trump administration. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 26 May 2025 Monroe Crossings Shopping Center in Monroe, N.C., also bucked the trend of malls going by the wayside, replacing a vacant Sears with a furniture retailer and a JCPenney into a Rose’s fashion store. David Moin, Footwear News, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for wayside

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wayside was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wayside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wayside. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

wayside

noun
way·​side ˈwā-ˌsīd How to pronounce wayside (audio)
: the side or border of a road or path
wayside adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on wayside

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!