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.
Consider that the art of good old-fashioned phone conversation could be going by the wayside for young people, who favor texts and Snaps to communicate. Melissa Willets, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025 As more people mock that behavior, that performance will go by the wayside as well. Charles Trepany, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025 Some franchises fell by the wayside. Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2025 But that centrality had long fallen to the wayside. Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Wayside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wayside. Accessed 20 Sep. 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

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