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); -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

They were rejected by multiple Uber drivers and failed to flag down a black cab, before they began walking along the promenade in a bid to reach the ceremony on time.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

“I go up to the Pixar Pier promenade stage, and I just go up to it and touch it. ... The beautiful thing about Disney is these creations are usually around for a lifetime.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

But many Davos attendees welcomed the American vibe infusing this year's forum, seen also in the predominance of US companies taking over storefronts along the promenade to set up their private pavilions.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

In the 1860s, the commissioners of New York’s Central Park chose to place a picturesque fountain at the end of the long promenade known as the Mall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

By the time I took my second promenade, the women seated around Anna May were craning their necks her way.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• boardwalk
• deck
• mall