moonwalk

[ moon-wawk ]

noun

1. an exploratory walk by an astronaut on the surface of the moon.
2. a dance move in which the dancer appears to slide backwards involuntarily while making the motions of walking forward, an illusion achieved by rising onto the ball of one foot, which bears the weight, while sliding the other foot backwards in a flat position, and alternating this step between feet.

verb (used without object)

1. (of an astronaut) to walk on the surface of the moon.
2. to perform the moonwalk dance move.

Other Words From

• moon·walk·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of moonwalk¹

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; moon + walk

Example Sentences

With the right amount of planning, systems, and experience, it’s possible to make the unsafe—deep dives, moonwalks, BASE jumping, heli-skiing—safer.

From Outside Online

If a moonwalk is canceled this time, it won’t be because the suits don’t fit.

From MIT Technology Review

Plus wearing gowns, gloves, goggles and masks imparts an eerie moonwalk sensation as one enters the facility.

From The Daily Beast

Michael Jackson's back-from-the-dead moonwalk stunned viewers at the Billboard Awards.

From The Daily Beast

In his autobiography, Moonwalk, Jackson called Ross his “mother, love and sister all rolled up in one.”

From The Daily Beast

Another time, he hired dance coaches to teach the staff to moonwalk on the set (he tried, then opted to sit aside and judge).

From The Daily Beast

Someday they may all moonwalk with MJ in the great big Neverland in the sky.

From The Daily Beast