1
: a minor part (as in a dramatic production)
also
: an actor having such a part
2
: a college athlete who tries out for an athletic team without having been recruited or offered a scholarship
Examples of walk-on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Garnett played varsity for four years at Campbell Hall High and was a walk-on outside linebacker for UCLA’s football team as a freshman in 2019 before giving up the sport.
—
Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Now, the former third-string (and one-time walk-on) quarterback is the likely backup for star QB Jalon Daniels.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2024
Among the auction lots to bid on are an online bedtime story read by Swinton; tickets to Cox’s London stage performance of A Long Day’s Journey Into Night, including a meet and greet with the Succession star; and a walk-on part in the new film from Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024
Shelton took great joy in having tricked the crowd into thinking Glendale wasn’t getting a Stefani walk-on.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2024
Here's everything to know about the former UGA walk-on star turned Rams quarterback.
—Greta Bjornson, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
The University of Pittsburgh has two locals, also walk-ons, on its roster.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
That’s when Monson told his players that everyone doubted them, sparking a resolve to back the coach who treated them just like the son who was a walk-on guard and the older son who was a graduate assistant.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Dan is Andrew’s coach at UConn Andrew joined the UConn basketball team as a walk-on during his freshman year.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024
Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Now, the former third-string (and one-time walk-on) quarterback is the likely backup for star QB Jalon Daniels.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2024
Among the auction lots to bid on are an online bedtime story read by Swinton; tickets to Cox’s London stage performance of A Long Day’s Journey Into Night, including a meet and greet with the Succession star; and a walk-on part in the new film from Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024
Shelton took great joy in having tricked the crowd into thinking Glendale wasn’t getting a Stefani walk-on.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2024
Here's everything to know about the former UGA walk-on star turned Rams quarterback.
—Greta Bjornson, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
The University of Pittsburgh has two locals, also walk-ons, on its roster.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
That’s when Monson told his players that everyone doubted them, sparking a resolve to back the coach who treated them just like the son who was a walk-on guard and the older son who was a graduate assistant.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Dan is Andrew’s coach at UConn Andrew joined the UConn basketball team as a walk-on during his freshman year.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'walk-on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near walk-on
Cite this Entry
“Walk-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walk-on. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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