promenade

American  

[prom-uh-neyd, -nahd] / ˌprɒm əˈneɪd, -ˈnɑd /

noun

1. a stroll or walk, especially in a public place, as for pleasure or display.

2. an area used for such walking.

3. a march of guests into a ballroom constituting the opening of a formal ball.

4. a march of dancers in square dancing.

5. a formal dance; prom.

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verb (used without object)

promenades, present (3rd person singular) promenaded, past participle, past promenading present participle

1. to go for or take part in a promenade.

2. to execute a promenade in square dancing.

verb (used with object)

promenades, present (3rd person singular) promenaded, past participle, past promenading present participle

1. to take a promenade through or about.

2. to conduct or display in or as if in a promenade; parade.

   They promenaded their prisoner before the townspeople.

promenade British  

/ ˌprɒməˈnɑːd /

noun

1. a public walk, esp at a seaside resort

2. a leisurely walk, esp one in a public place for pleasure or display

3. a ball or formal dance at a high school or college

4. a marchlike step in dancing

5. a marching sequence in a square or country dance

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verb

1. to take a promenade in or through (a place)

2. (intr) dancing to perform a promenade

3. (tr) to display or exhibit (someone or oneself) on or as if on a promenade

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• promenader
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have promenaded
  perfect
• has promenaded
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are promenading
  progressive
• is promenading
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been promenading
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am promenading
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been promenading
  perfect progressive
• promenades
  singular 3rd person
• promenading
  participle

Past

• had promenaded
  perfect
• was promenading
  progressive singular
• had been promenading
  perfect progressive
• were promenading
  progressive plural
• promenaded
  participle
• promenaded
  simple

Future

• will promenade
  simple
• will have promenaded
  perfect
• will have been promenading
  perfect progressive
• will be promenading
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of promenade

1560–70; < French, derivative of promener to lead out, take for a walk or airing < Latin promināre to drive (beasts) forward ( prō- pro- ¹ + mināre to drive); see -ade ¹

Explanation

Promenade is a fancy word for going out walking. If you like to stroll through town in a leisurely way, then you like to take promenades. Besides meaning the nice walk you just took, the noun promenade can also mean a special walking place for pedestrians, like a boardwalk. You can also use it as a verb, and go promenading. In Square Dance, promenade is a move where the couples walk around in a circle, and you might be familiar with the promenade at your high school — or did you just call it "Prom"?

Example Sentences

"The noise was abnormally loud. A huge, crashing sound," said school volunteer Pitchaya Promenade.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

Although the spokesperson didn’t give the reason for the decision, safety has become an issue in downtown Santa Monica and Third Street Promenade, once known as a signature destination for shopping and dining.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2025

Lincolnshire Police said the incident happened close to the Promenade, shortly after 16:00 BST.

From BBC • May 25, 2025

If I was down by the beach, there’s a restaurant I like called Ivy at the Shore, kind of close to the Third Street Promenade.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2025

Using the forwardship stairway, he descended fairly briskly to the Promenade Deck.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger

Related Words

• boardwalk
• deck
• mall