walkabout

noun

walk·​about ˈwȯ-kə-ˌbau̇t 

1

: a short period of wandering bush life engaged in by an Australian aborigine as an occasional interruption of regular work

—often used in the phrase go walkabout

the man who went walkabout was making a ritual journey

—Bruce Chatwin

2

: something (such as a journey) similar to a walkabout

3

: a walking tour

especially, British : one in which a well-known person mingles with the public

went walkabout in the streets

Examples of walkabout in a Sentence

Many people gathered to meet the Queen during her walkabout.

Recent Examples on the Web

For a walkabout with the Princess of Wales at Frogmore House, the first lady chose a Ralph Lauren chestnut-colored suede safari jacket, Loro Piana pants, and chestnut-colored Roger Vivier flats. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025

That promise begins with a gold-panning bowl with an etched map and continues when Molly and her friend Greta are joined in their walkabout by a Japanese pilot and then a baby. —The Know, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025

Stay dry on your leaf peeping walkabouts with a water-tight shell like the REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket, now 30 percent off. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2025

Kate Middleton makes her first royal appearance on a walkabout in Wales As Princess Diana had done before her, Kate took a royal walkabout in Wales with her husband-to-be, completing her very first royal duty. —Nicole Briese, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing walkabout

• go walkabout

Rhymes for walkabout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout