promenade

[ prom-uh-neyd, -nahd ]

noun

1. a stroll or walk, especially in a public place, as for pleasure or display.
2. an area used for such walking.
3. a march of guests into a ballroom constituting the opening of a formal ball.
4. a march of dancers in square dancing.
5. a formal dance; prom.

verb (used without object)

, prom·e·nad·ed, prom·e·nad·ing.

1. to go for or take part in a promenade.
2. to execute a promenade in square dancing.

verb (used with object)

, prom·e·nad·ed, prom·e·nad·ing.

1. to take a promenade through or about.
2. to conduct or display in or as if in a promenade; parade:

   They promenaded their prisoner before the townspeople.

promenade

/ ˌprɒməˈnɑːd /

noun

1. a public walk, esp at a seaside resort
2. a leisurely walk, esp one in a public place for pleasure or display
3. a ball or formal dance at a high school or college
4. a marchlike step in dancing
5. a marching sequence in a square or country dance

verb

1. to take a promenade in or through (a place)
2. intr dancing to perform a promenade
3. tr to display or exhibit (someone or oneself) on or as if on a promenade

Derived Forms

• ˌpromeˈnader, noun

Other Words From

• prome·nader noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of promenade¹

1560–70; < French, derivative of promener to lead out, take for a walk or airing < Latin promināre to drive (beasts) forward ( prō- pro- ¹ + mināre to drive); -ade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of promenade¹

C16: from French, from promener to lead out for a walk, from Late Latin prōmināre to drive (cattle) along, from pro- ¹+ mināre to drive, probably from minārī to threaten

Example Sentences

Santa Monica Thank the 10 million tourists that trek to the pier here for helping make the city — particularly the stretch along Ocean Avenue and the three car-free blocks of the Third Street Promenade — among the Southland’s most walkable.

From Los Angeles Times

Sanaa, a 26-year-old who was taking her dog for a walk along Beirut’s waterfront promenade and did not want to give her name for privacy reasons, said she expected little to change under a new U.S. administration, regardless of which candidate triumphed.

From Los Angeles Times

Tejada was working on a project near the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica when a rally against the murder of George Floyd devolved into a ransacking of small businesses.

From Los Angeles Times

As he spoke, a steady rain pattered on the promenade facing Portland, just across the Columbia River.

From Los Angeles Times

Then, turn south and choose your own adventure: Hike on the shore or the paved promenade.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boardwalk
• deck
• mall