Foxtrot

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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

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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
And finishing off the night strong was Ariana, who earned her first perfect score for a breathtaking foxtrot. EW.com, 28 Nov. 2023 In the redemption round, Gomez and Mraz were both assigned to do foxtrots, while the reality star drew the samba. Anna Chan, Billboard, 6 Dec. 2023 After their Motown Night foxtrot on Tuesday, the pair chatted exclusively with PEOPLE about their upcoming performance. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2023 Jillette and Kym Johnson were dismissed alongside tennis ace Seles and Jonathan Roberts in a double elimination in season 6. 29 Josie Maran, Season 5 After her low-scoring foxtrot with Alec Mazo, the model and her pro partner were left to dance off into the season 5 sunset. Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2023 Then, The Talk co-host Amanda Kloots and her partner Alan Bersten earned the highest score of the night, a 32 out of 40, for their foxtrot. Karen Mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, 27 Sep. 2021 The samba, the rhumba, the salsa, a little foxtrot, a little hip-hop, and a little cha-cha-cha. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023 The score was one of the highest of the night alongside Amanda Kloots and Alan Bersten's foxtrot, which scored a 32 out of 40. Karen Mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, 27 Sep. 2021 Delivering her foxtrot with partner Gleb Savchenko, Shangela earned 32 points from the judges, placing her high in the pack of the early dancers. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 Oct. 2022

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

Cite this Entry

“Foxtrot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Foxtrot. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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