What does "pedestrian" mean?

1. (a person walking) someone who is walking in a street or public area rather than driving a car. 2. (for people walking) designed for or used by people who are walking. 3. (boring or ordinary) not interesting or special; very ordinary.

How do you use "pedestrian"?

Usually placed before the noun it describes.

pedestrian

n. · adj.

US //pəˈdɛstɹiən// UK //pədˈɛstɹiən// pedes·tri·an

1 a person walking (n.)
B1 Intermediate

someone who is walking in a street or public area rather than driving a car.

a person travelling on foot, particularly in an area also used by vehicles.

Example

The new bridge was built specifically for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the river safely.

Example

Urban planners are increasingly prioritising pedestrian safety by widening pavements and introducing more frequent crossing intervals at busy intersections.
- walker
- foot traveller
2 for people walking (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

designed for or used by people who are walking.

relating to or designed for walkers.

Example

The city centre is a pedestrian zone where cars are not allowed.

Example

The council converted the historic high street into a pedestrian precinct to encourage foot traffic and support local businesses.
- walking
- vehicular

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3 boring or ordinary (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal

not interesting or special; very ordinary.

lacking inspiration or excitement; dull, mundane, or uninspired.

Example

The movie was okay, but the plot was a bit pedestrian and predictable.

Example

Critics dismissed the artist's latest exhibition as pedestrian, noting a disappointing lack of the experimental flair that defined her earlier work.

Usage

Usually placed before the noun it describes.

Origin

Borrowed from Latin pedester, root pedestri- (from pedes) + -an (suffix forming adjectives).