moonwalk

American  

[moon-wawk] / ˈmunˌwɔk /

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.

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verb (used without object)

1. (of an astronaut) to walk on the surface of the moon.

2. to perform the moonwalk dance move.

Other Word Forms

• moonwalker noun

Etymology

Origin of moonwalk

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

Example Sentences

After roughly 85 years of television in American homes, viewers have collectively shared historical triumphs and unthinkable tragedies, from Neil Armstrong’s moonwalk in 1969 to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

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 • Nov. 10, 2023

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 • Jun. 3, 2023

Over the years, his trademark became the camel walk, an early version of what became Michael Jackson’s moonwalk decades later.

From New York Times • May 29, 2022

“Like it would be like one of those inflatable moonwalk machines, except for always.”

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green