'pedestrianize' originates from Modern English, specifically the word 'pedestrian' combined with the verb-forming suffix '-ize', where 'pedestrian' ultimately derives from Latin 'pedester' and the root 'pes/ped-' meant 'foot', and the suffix '-ize' comes from Greek '-izein' via Latin/French meaning 'to make or cause to be'.

'pedestrianize' changed from the adjective and noun 'pedestrian' (from Latin 'pedester' meaning 'going on foot', passing through Old French 'pédestre' and Middle English forms) with the addition of the productive verb suffix '-ize', and eventually became the modern English verb 'pedestrianize'.

Initially related to 'walking on foot' and describing people or things connected with walking; over time the derived verb evolved to mean 'to make an area for pedestrian use' and, figuratively, 'to make dull or ordinary'.