walking stick

noun

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of walking stick

1 : a straight rod or stick (as of wood or aluminum) that is used to provide stability in walking or hiking

2 : stick insect; especially : one (Diapheromera femorata) of the U.S. and Canada

See walking stick defined for English-language learners

See walking stick defined for kids

Recent Examples of walking stick from the Web

An elderly man with a walking stick shuffling around an outlet of M’s Pop Life, a chain of adult stores, can find much aimed at him.

— The Economist, "Japan’s sex industry is becoming less sexual," 5 Apr. 2018
There is some fine Saharan sand in a tiny clay pot, an ebony walking stick, two carved Moroccan chairs with red leather seats, a white T-shirt signed by Andy Warhol.

— amy wallace, GQ, "Walton Goggins’s L.A. Home Is an Always-Changing Collage of Stuff," 14 Mar. 2018
Clad in typical late 19th- to early 20th-century menswear — white shirt, black vest, black bowler hat, and a walking stick — Richard spices up the 90-minute walk with historical perspective and anecdotes from the benefactor’s life.

— ellen albanese, BostonGlobe.com, "Is it Europe? No, it’s Fairhaven.," 6 Mar. 2018
In her trademark blue bucket hat, with a walking stick by her side, Ramos is a wisp of a woman, her hazel eyes sparkling warmly.

— richard a. marini, San Antonio Express-News, "Britain to Bandera: A horsewoman’s journey from uppercrust to working class," 20 Feb. 2018
When the officer spoke to Wahrmund, the officer noticed a pipe with what appeared to be marijuana residue inside of it hanging from a walking stick in the back seat of Wahrmund’s vehicle, the affidavit said.

— claire osborn, ajc, "Texas man accused of possessing 8,000 hits of LSD," 17 Feb. 2018
After the assassination 42 days later, Lincoln’s widow gave Douglass her husband’s walking stick.

— george will, National Review, "Remembering Frederick Douglass, Champion of American Individualism," 31 Jan. 2018
On a Thursday night, people of all ages trickle across the lot by the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, more than a few with water bottles and telescoping walking sticks dangling from carabiners.

— linda immediato, Los Angeles Magazine, "This Griffith Park Night Hike Is, Surprisingly, Not Terrifying," 25 Jan. 2018
Jenkins hobbled off the plane with a walking stick, looking much older than his years, with their daughters in 2004.

— anna fifield, Washington Post, "Charles Jenkins, American soldier who defected to North Korea, dies at 77," 11 Dec. 2017

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

Illustration of walking stick

First Known Use of walking stick

1580

WALKING STICK Defined for English Language Learners

walking stick

noun

Definition of walking stick for English Language Learners

: a stick that is used to help someone to walk

WALKING STICK Defined for Kids

walking stick

noun

Definition of walking stick for Students

1 : a stick used to maintain balance when walking

2 : stick insect

Learn More about walking stick

See words that rhyme with walking stick Spanish Central: Translation of walking stick Nglish: Translation of walking stick for Spanish speakers

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walking stick

Definition of walking stick

Recent Examples of walking stick from the Web

Illustration of walking stick

First Known Use of walking stick

WALKING STICK Defined for English Language Learners

walking stick

Definition of walking stick for English Language Learners

WALKING STICK Defined for Kids

walking stick

Definition of walking stick for Students

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walking stick

Definition of walking stick

Recent Examples of walking stick from the Web

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walking stick

Definition of walking stick for English Language Learners

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