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

He can rehash white-man-grievance jokes about being “woke” or even tell 30-year-old moonwalk jokes just as long as he also keeps providing a harbor for those with unsavory views about race.

From Los Angeles Times

Memorabilia belonging to Jackson has previously sold for thousands, including a black fedora hat that he wore just before performing his famous moonwalk dance for the first time in 1983.

From BBC

It orbited the lunar surface 10 times, flying nearly 60 miles above its surface, to photograph a bleak and rock-strewn terrain, seeking potential landing spots for the moonwalks to come.

From New York Times

I decided to ham it up, doing my best Michael Jackson moonwalk, pumicing my bare feet as I dragged them awkwardly across concrete.

From Salon

“Now I’m going to do the moonwalk, everybody! Here we go!”

From New York Times