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definitions

promenade

[prom-uh-neyd, -nahd]
See more synonyms for promenade on Thesaurus.com
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.
verb (used without object), prom·e·nad·ed, prom·e·nad·ing.
  1. to go for or take part in a promenade.
  2. to execute a promenade in square dancing.
verb (used with object), prom·e·nad·ed, prom·e·nad·ing.
  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.

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 -ade1
Related formsprom·e·nad·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for promenade

mall, deck, boardwalk, marina, cakewalk, gallery, stroll, walk

Examples from the Web for promenade

Contemporary Examples of promenade

Historical Examples of promenade

  • Just such a promenade, with a sleepy band, just such a casino, just such a routine.

    In the Heart of Vosges

    Matilda Betham-Edwards

  • Father Fourcade and the doctor slowly resumed their promenade.

  • They found seats on the veranda, looking out upon the promenade.

    The Avenger

    E. Phillips Oppenheim

  • They took leave of the ladies and turned towards the promenade.

    The Avenger

    E. Phillips Oppenheim

  • They walked to the promenade and dropped her at Cavendish House.

    Jan and Her Job

    L. Allen Harker

British Dictionary definitions for promenade

promenade

noun
  1. mainly British a public walk, esp at a seaside resort
  2. a leisurely walk, esp one in a public place for pleasure or display
  3. US and Canadian 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
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
Derived Formspromenader, noun

Word Origin for promenade

C16: from French, from promener to lead out for a walk, from Late Latin prōmināre to drive (cattle) along, from pro- 1 + mināre to drive, probably from minārī to threaten
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for promenade
n.

1560s, "leisurely walk," from Middle French promenade (16c.), from se promener "go for a walk," from Late Latin prominare "to drive (animals) onward," from pro- "forth" (see pro-) + minare "to drive (animals) with shouts," from minari "to threaten" (see menace (n.)).

Meaning "place for walking" is 1640s; specifically "walkway by the sea" late 18c.; British sense of "music hall favored by 'loose women and the simpletons who run after them'" is attested from 1863. Sense of "dance given by a school" is from 1887.

v.

"to make a promenade," 1580s, from promenade (n.). Related: Promenaded; promenading.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper