Foxtrot

1 of 3

communications code word

Fox·​trot ˈfäks-ˌträt How to pronounce Foxtrot (audio)
used as a code word for the letter f

foxtrot

2 of 3

noun

fox·​trot ˈfäks-ˌträt How to pronounce foxtrot (audio)
variants or less commonly fox-trot or fox trot
plural foxtrots also fox-trots or fox trots
1
: a short broken slow trotting gait in which the hind foot of the horse hits the ground a trifle before the diagonally opposite forefoot
2
: a ballroom dance in duple time with slow walking steps, quick running steps, and the step of the two-step
also : the music for this dance
The band played a foxtrot.

fox-trot

3 of 3

verb

fox-trotted; fox-trotting; fox-trots

intransitive verb

: to dance the foxtrot

Examples of Foxtrot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
After the special two-part competition on Oct. 7-8, VelJohnson and Slater scored 21 out of 40 for their foxtrot and a 21 out of 40 with their cha cha. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2024 The dancer and her partner Reginald VelJohnson were eliminated after their foxtrot and cha cha failed to impress during the special two-part competition held Oct. 7-8. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 15 Oct. 2024 Former Bachelorette Jenn Tran is dedicating her foxtrot to Taylor Swift. Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 The course studies five classic ballroom dances practiced around the world: modern waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, slow foxtrot and quickstep. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Foxtrot 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Foxtrot.' 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

Communications Code Word

1952, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Foxtrot was in 1858

Dictionary Entries Near Foxtrot

foxtrot

Foxtrot

fox-trot

Cite this Entry

“Foxtrot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Foxtrot. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!