busking

American  

[buhs-king] / bʌs kɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or practice of entertaining by dancing, singing, juggling, etc., on the street or in a public place.

   When I lived and studied in London for a year and a half, I brought my guitar along and did some busking in the streets.

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adjective

1. engaged in this kind of public entertainment.

   My interviewee was late meeting me in the square, so while waiting I struck up a conversation with a busking musician.

Etymology

Origin of busking

First recorded in 1770–80; busk ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; busk ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Example Sentences

From the musicians busking along Venice Beach to the intimate shows at Winston House, music is part of the fabric of Venice.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025

In the centre of Vladivostok I stop to listen to a band busking on a pedestrian street.

From BBC • Sep. 3, 2025

It is understood Westminster City Council will explore its grounds of appeal and revisions to its busking and street entertainment licensing regime.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2025

Almost all vehicles are prohibited from entering the enhanced security zone that encompasses about 14 blocks of the popular area packed with bars, restaurants, shops and vendors where busking musicians play jazz tunes on horns.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2025

The next day, right when I begin to consider a career in busking or garbage collecting, two thick envelopes arrive in the mail: one from NYU and the other from DePaul University.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez