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

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

Both Charles and Diana stopped in front of her during a walkabout on that 1983 tour. —Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Prince Louis, who is set to turn seven this year and is a veteran of many palace balcony moments, had a shy turn during a recent walkabout. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 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