walk

verb

\ ˈwȯk

Definition of walk

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a obsolete : roam, wander

b of a spirit : to move about in visible form : appear

c of a ship : to make headway

2a : to move along on foot : advance by steps

b : to come or go easily or readily

c : to go on foot for exercise or pleasure

d : to go at a walk

3a : to pursue a course of action or way of life : conduct oneself : behave walk warily

b : to be or act in association : continue in union the British and American peoples will … walk together side by side … in peace— Sir Winston Churchill

c : walk out walked over problems with management

4 : to go to first base as a result of a base on balls

5 of an inanimate object

a : to move in a manner that is suggestive of walking

b : to stand with an appearance suggestive of strides pylons walking across the valley

6 of an astronaut : to move about in space outside a spacecraft

7 : to avoid criminal prosecution or conviction walked on a technicality

transitive verb

1a : to pass on foot or as if on foot through, along, over, or upon : traverse, perambulate walk the streets walk a tightrope

b : to perform or accomplish by going on foot walk guard

2a : to cause (an animal) to go at a walk : take for a walk walking a dog

b(1) : to cause to move by walking walked her bicycle up the hill

(2) : to haul (something, such as an anchor) by walking round the capstan

3 : to follow on foot for the purpose of measuring, surveying, or inspecting walk a boundary

4a : to accompany on foot : walk with walked her home

b : to compel to walk (as by a command)

c : to bring to a specified condition by walking walked us off our feet

5 : to move (an object) in a manner suggestive of walking

6 : to perform (a dance) at a walking pace walk a quadrille

7 : to give a base on balls to

walk away from

1 : to outrun or get the better of without difficulty

2 : to survive (an accident) with little or no injury

3 : to give up or leave behind willingly : abandon

walk off with

1a : to steal and take away

b : to take over unexpectedly from someone else : steal sense 1d walked off with the show

2 : to win or gain especially by outdoing one's competitors without difficulty

walk on

: to take advantage of : abuse

walk on eggshells or walk on eggs

: to exercise extreme caution

walk over

: to treat contemptuously

walk the plank

1 : to walk under compulsion over the side of a ship into the sea

2 : to resign an office or position under compulsion

walk through

1 : to go through (a theatrical role, a familiar activity, etc.) perfunctorily (as in an early stage of rehearsal)

2 : to guide (someone, such as a novice) through an unfamiliar or complex procedure step-by-step

3 : to deal with or carry out perfunctorily

walk

noun

Definition of walk (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : an act or instance of going on foot especially for exercise or pleasure go for a walk

b : space walk

2 : an accustomed place of walking : haunt

3 : a place designed for walking:

a : a railed platform above the roof of a dwelling house

b(1) : a path specially arranged or paved for walking

(2) : sidewalk

c : a public avenue for promenading : promenade

d : ropewalk

4 : a place or area of land in which animals feed and exercise with minimal restraint

5 : distance to be walked a quarter mile walk from here

6 British : a ceremonial procession

7 : manner of living : conduct, behavior

8a : the gait of a biped in which the feet are lifted alternately with one foot not clear of the ground before the other touches

b : the gait of a quadruped in which there are always at least two feet on the ground specifically : a 4-beat gait of a horse in which the feet strike the ground in the sequence near hind, near fore, off hind, off fore

c : a low rate of speed the shortage of raw materials slowed production to a walk

9 : a route regularly traversed by a person in the performance of a particular activity (such as patrolling, begging, or vending)

10 : characteristic manner of walking his walk is just like his father's

11a : social or economic status all walks of life

b(1) : range or sphere of action : field, province

(2) : vocation

12 : base on balls

13 : an easy victory won in a walk

walk in the park

: an easy or pleasurable experience

Other Words from walk Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about walk

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Examples of walk in a Sentence

Verb

Is your grandson walking yet? He walks home from school every day. It's not far; you can walk there in five minutes. It was a while after the accident before she could walk again. He walked away without saying goodbye! She turned and walked away from him. The driver walked away from the accident unharmed. They walk around the neighborhood every morning for exercise. We walked around the city all day seeing the sights. He walked to the store.

Noun

The cliff walk along the ocean is very popular. Many exotic plants can be found along the walk.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Or take your cues from Mandy Moore, who walked down the aisle in a petal-pink tulle Rodarte gown, or Emily Ratajkowski, who went with a bold saffron suit for her ceremony. — Vogue, "5 Fresh Ideas for the Bride Who Hates Wedding Dresses," 11 Apr. 2019 Although Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have walked countless red carpets, the power couple still manages to look show-stopping at every event. — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "Everyone Is Talking About Nicole Kidman's Racy Dress at the ACM Awards," 8 Apr. 2019 Rather than walking the red carpet together at the 2019 SAG Awards, the low-key couple sidled up to each other inside the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, where the event was held. — Nicole Briese, Allure, "Emma Stone Sparks Massive Engagement Rumors Due to Ring Finger Accessory," 7 Apr. 2019 Sadly for myself and a solid number of people living in New York City, walk-in closets come with one heck of a price tag. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "This $15 Hanging Rod Doubled the Size of My Tiny Closet," 2 Apr. 2019 The 6-3 right-hander made 13 starts for the Yankees’ Class AAA team last year, finishing with a 3.86 ERA, walking just 14 and striking out 78 in 72 innings. — Ryan Divish, The Seattle Times, "Names to watch: Breaking down the Mariners’ Top 15 prospects for 2019," 27 Mar. 2019 From walking red carpets to living a glamorous LA lifestyle, the former actress was already wearing brands like Dior and Givenchy. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle's Maternity Wardrobe Cost More Than Half a Million Dollars," 23 Mar. 2019 In a blink of an eye, your wonderful daughter, kid brother, or sweet cousin is all grown-up and walking across the big stage to receive their diploma. — Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, "Here’s What to Write in a Graduation Card to Your Favorite New Adult," 22 Mar. 2019 Now, paparazzi photos of Charles and Camilla walking with towels on the beach and of the Prince of Wales enjoying an ocean swim are causing controversy. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Paparazzi Photos of Prince Charles and Camilla on the Beach in Barbados Are Causing Controversy," 20 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The Ballard’s second level features a master bedroom with a walk-in closet, a master bath with dual vanities and a separate frameless shower. — Toll Brothers, The Seattle Times, "6 homes remain at community near Microsoft," 29 Mar. 2019 Similar to a visit to a museum or a walk in the park, flowers in the home can refresh your view and perspective on your day. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "How One Celebrity Florist Brings Flowers into the Home for Spring," 19 Mar. 2019 While the bathroom is small and compact, Cabin Spacey also has room to add a walk-in shower and vanity. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "These Tiny Homes Are Designed to Be Easily Moved Anywhere—Even on Rooftops," 19 Mar. 2019 The duo enjoyed a Broadway date with a performance of The Book of Mormon and shared sweet photos together from inside the theater and inside an enviably large walk-in closet. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Bella Hadid and The Weeknd Can't Stop Holding Hands in New York City," 3 Oct. 2018 The master bed boasts multiple closets—including a walk-in—and the three bedrooms upstairs share two baths between them. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Midcentury jewel in Memphis boasts a cheery blue kitchen for $489K," 28 Sep. 2018 Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. — Linda Mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Daughters of American Revolution keep marching ...community news," 12 July 2018 Forty teams made up of two people each had signed up before the day of the event and there were a lot of walk-ins, so a few teams played and took a break and then another set of teams took a turn. — Joyce Rudolph, latimes.com, "On the Town: Charity puts a little Americana into its fundraising," 10 July 2018 Note: While 10 tables are saved for walk-ins, the weekend wait times can be up to an hour and a half. — Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, "T&C Travel Guide: Napa Valley and Sonoma County, California," 9 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'walk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for walk

Verb

partly from Middle English walken (past welk, past participle walken), from Old English wealcan to roll, toss, journey about (past weolc, past participle wealcen) and partly from Middle English walkien (past walked, past participle walked), from Old English wealcian to roll up, muffle up; akin to Middle Dutch walken to knead, press, full