walking

1 of 3

noun

walk·​ing ˈwȯ-kiŋ 

1

: the action of one that walks

2

: the condition of a surface for one going on foot

the walking is slippery

walking

2 of 3

adjective

1

a

: able to walk : ambulatory

the walking wounded

b

: being the personification of a nonhuman quality or thing

a walking encyclopedia

2

a

: used for or in walking

walking shoes

b

: characterized by or consisting of the action of walking

a walking tour

3

: that moves or appears to move in a manner suggestive of walking

especially : that swings or rocks back and forth

walking beam

4

: guided or operated by a person on foot

a walking plow

walking

3 of 3

present participle of walk entry 1

Examples of walking in a Sentence

Noun

She goes walking every day in the park.

Adjective

a good pair of walking shoes

They were going at a walking pace.

She is a walking disaster.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

According to MedlinePlus, normal pressure hydrocephalus is an abnormal or excessive buildup of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain, which can impact brain function, cause walking or gait changes, or incontinence. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Tucker pointed to studies that found that as little as 30 minutes of brisk walking every day can increase a signaling protein in the brain that contributes to neuroplasticity (forming and reorganizing synapses). — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The terrain is tough to navigate alone, so most walking holidays are guided. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026

These people are all within walking distance of one another in Rhinebeck. — Ben Brantley, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing walking

• dead man walking
• go walking
• Tennessee walking horse
• the walking wounded
• walking catfish
• walking delegate
• walking leaf
• walking on air
• walking papers
• walking pneumonia
• walking stick
• within/in walking distance

Rhymes for walking

• blocking
• calking
• caulking
• chalking
• clocking
• cocking
• docking
• flocking
• gawking
• knocking
• locking
• mocking

Medical Definition

walking

adjective

walk·​ing ˈwȯ-kiŋ 

: able to walk : ambulatory