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.
Its unique aural qualities (and the couple’s acoustic fixations) fall quickly by the wayside, making its very premise feel perfunctory. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025 Year after year, agricultural giants cultivate the same varieties of the same fruits and vegetables, while many other varieties have fallen to the wayside. Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025 While these concerns mount, Flowers and some other parents said they are left wondering how long their children’s needs will fall by the wayside while the district and union continue their battles. Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025 As the new year already starts to fly by, don’t let those new resolutions go to the wayside. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near wayside

Cite this Entry

“Wayside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wayside. Accessed 1 Feb. 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!