sidewalk

American  

[sahyd-wawk] / ˈsaɪdˌwɔk /

noun

sidewalks plural

1. a walk, especially a paved one, at the side of a street or road.

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sidewalk British  

/ ˈsaɪdˌwɔːk /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): pavement.  a hard-surfaced path for pedestrians alongside and a little higher than a road

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• sidewalks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sidewalk

First recorded in 1660–70; side ¹ + walk

Explanation

A sidewalk is a paved path for walking, often alongside a road. If your neighborhood has sidewalks, it's easier and safer to take a little jog. While English speakers in other parts of the world might use words like footpath or pavement instead, North Americans typically use sidewalk. Most sidewalks are slightly higher than the street and are often separated from them by a curb or a strip of grass. There is some historical evidence that Ancient Greece had sidewalks, though the word itself dates from about 1740.

Example Sentences

Shannon Camacho, senior policy associate at Inclusive Action for the City, said that Riverside needs to commit to improving its sidewalk vending ordinance and code enforcement protocols.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026

This time round, only bars with cable TV and expensive beer show all the games, leaving many on the outside looking in, literally -- from the sidewalk.

From Barron's • Jun. 14, 2026

Does walking down a sidewalk ever feel like an extreme sport?

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026

Perhaps it’s simply the last time he set foot on the sidewalk.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

He wandered along the sidewalk, wondering what new horrors the day might hold.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

Related Words

• boardwalk
• pavement
• walkway