walk on

1 of 2

verb

walked on; walking on; walks on
Synonyms of walk onnext

transitive verb

: to take advantage of : abuse

walk-on

2 of 2

noun

1
: a minor part (as in a dramatic production)
also : an actor having such a part
2
: a college athlete who tries out for an athletic team without having been recruited or offered a scholarship

Examples of walk on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Ballard, who started two games in 2023 after arriving as a walk-on, and Marshall, a dual-threat who led his Michigan high school to a state championship, are stylistically different but close friends competing for the top job. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026 Aguilera, a 2008 Lake Central graduate who played softball at Evansville, has encouraged McCoy to be a walk-on for the Bulldogs, underscoring her esteem for McCoy’s talent. Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026 Hecht is a former walk-on who rose up the ranks in a K-State program known for churning out big, mean fellas. Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026 In the fifth round, the Dolphins drafted its first true safety in Texas’ Michael Taaffe, a former walk-on who ended his collegiate career as both a two-time captain and All-American. Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for walk on

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of walk on was in 1902

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Walk on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walk%20on. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on walk on

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster