spacewalk

American  

[speys-wawk] / ˈspeɪsˌwɔk /

Or space walk

noun

1. a task or mission performed by an astronaut outside a spacecraft in space.

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verb (used without object)

1. to execute a task or mission outside a spacecraft in space.

spacewalk British  

/ ˈspeɪsˌwɔːk /

noun

1. Technical name: extravehicular activity.  the act or an instance of floating and manoeuvring in space, outside but attached by a lifeline to a spacecraft

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verb

1. (intr) to float and manoeuvre in space while outside but attached to a spacecraft

Other Word Forms

• spacewalker noun

Etymology

Origin of spacewalk

First recorded in 1960–65, Americanism; space + walk

Example Sentences

Koch already holds the record for longest spaceflight by a woman -- 328 days -- and also participated in the first spacewalk performed entirely by women, alongside her colleague Jessica Meir.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

That total stands as the highest amount of spacewalk time achieved by a woman and the fourth-highest cumulative total of all time.

From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 2026

Astronauts would fly to the moon, perform a spacewalk, obtain samples of the boulder, and then rocket back to Earth.

From Slate • Dec. 9, 2025

Isaacman has said he became friendly with Musk, who supports his candidacy, after he took two trips to space aboard SpaceX’s rockets, including a 2024 mission where Isaacman completed the first commercial spacewalk.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 5, 2025

It’s like I’m on a spacewalk and somebody is sawing through the tether connecting me to the mother ship.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein