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Definition of jaywalking

jaywalking

/ˈdʒeɪˌwɔː.kɪŋ/
jay · walk · ing
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jaywalking Lexical Profile

jaywalking Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American The act of crossing or walking in a street or road unlawfully or without regard for approaching traffic, such as outside a designated crosswalk or against a red traffic signal.

Example

"The city council voted to decriminalize jaywalking after studies showed that tickets rarely improved pedestrian safety."

• Nearby Words

jayvee
jaywalk
jaywalker
jaywalking
jazz
jazzed
jazzercise

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in early 20th-century American English from 'jay' (mid-19th-century slang for a naive country bumpkin unaccustomed to city traffic) and 'walking', originally promoted by automobile lobbying groups to shift blame for street accidents onto pedestrians.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Jaywalking. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/jaywalking
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