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)

promenaded, promenading

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

2. to execute a promenade in square dancing.

verb (used with object)

promenaded, promenading

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

• promenader
  noun

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

Me and my wife used to walk down the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

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

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

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

From BBC • May 25, 2025

DeForest Park was selected after its restroom was destroyed in a fire, and officials landed on Harvey Milk Promenade Park as a way to augment limited offerings in the city’s downtown.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 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