walk-in

1 of 2

adjective

ˈwȯk-ˌin 

1

: large enough to be walked into

a walk-in closet

2

: arranged so as to be entered directly rather than through a lobby

a walk-in apartment

3

a

: being a person who walks in without an appointment

a walk-in blood donor

b

: of, relating to, or intended for such persons

a walk-in clinic

walk-in

2 of 2

noun

1

: a walk-in refrigerator or cold storage room

2

: an easy election victory

3

: a person who walks in without an appointment

Examples of walk-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The prepared items in the walk-in fridge did not cool down overnight and staff had to throw away 15 containers of food. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025

Speaking of unsafe, the walk-in cooler that’s supposed to keep food in cold storage at or under 41 degrees measured 65 degrees. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025

Noun

Appointments can be made, but walk-ins are accepted also. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025

Offices that are co-located in federal VA regional offices are closed to walk-in service. —David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Noun

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for walk-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

Kids Definition

walk-in

adjective

ˌwȯ-ˌkin

1

: large enough to be walked into

a walk-in closet

2

: being or relating to a person who walks in without an appointment

Medical Definition

walk-in

1 of 2 adjective

ˈwȯk-ˌin 

: providing medical services to ambulatory patients without an appointment

a walk-in clinic

also : being an individual who uses such services

walk-in

2 of 2 noun

: a walk-in patient