walking

American  

[waw-king] / ˈwɔ kɪŋ /

adjective

1. considered as a person who can or does walk or something that walks.

   The hospital is caring for six walking patients. He's walking proof that people can lose weight quickly.

2. used for or as an aid in walking.

   She put on her walking shoes and went out.

3. suitable for, characterized by, or consisting of walking.

   True sightseeing is a walking affair. We took a walking tour of Spain.

4. of or relating to an implement or machine drawn by a draft animal and operated or controlled by a person on foot.

   a walking plow.

5. of or relating to a mechanical part that moves back and forth.

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noun

1. the act or action of a person or thing that walks.

   Walking was the best exercise for him.

2. the manner or way in which a person walks.

3. the state or condition of the surface, terrain, etc., on which a person walks.

   The walking is dry over here.

4. race walking.

walking British  

/ ˈwɔːkɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of a person) considered to possess the qualities of something inanimate as specified

   he is a walking encyclopedia

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Other Word Forms

• nonwalking adjective

Etymology

Origin of walking

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; walk, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Hopefully it will be remembered as the giant push that took humanity one small step closer to walking on the lunar surface again.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

More than 80 years after he was created in Albert Camus’s 1942 novella “The Stranger,” Meursault is still the same chilling prophet of alienation, a walking caricature of emotionlessness who is nevertheless spellbinding.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

For Coachella’s walking, I’ll also bring out some gel insoles.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

"For example, in the case of a child undergoing sildenafil treatment, the walking distance increased tenfold, from 500 to 5,000 meters," as Prof. Markus Schuelke explains.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

The dog hops off the steps of the diner and sniffs my way before walking purposefully down the gravel road beside it.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith