moonwalk

[moon-wawk]

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.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of moonwalk¹

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

Example Sentences

He hit play on his phone and began to pop and lock and, yes, attempt to moonwalk on the carpet.

From Los Angeles Times

At the O2, that pain seemed a distant memory, as he careened around the U-shaped stage on roller skates, pulling off a flawless moonwalk, and even freeze-framing in a handstand.

From BBC

He can rehash white-man-grievance jokes about being “woke” or even tell 30-year-old moonwalk jokes just as long as he also keeps providing a harbor for those with unsavory views about race.

From Los Angeles Times

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

It orbited the lunar surface 10 times, flying nearly 60 miles above its surface, to photograph a bleak and rock-strewn terrain, seeking potential landing spots for the moonwalks to come.

From New York Times