promenade
Americannoun
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a stroll or walk, especially in a public place, as for pleasure or display.
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an area used for such walking.
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a march of guests into a ballroom constituting the opening of a formal ball.
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a march of dancers in square dancing.
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a formal dance; prom.
verb (used without object)
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to go for or take part in a promenade.
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to execute a promenade in square dancing.
verb (used with object)
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to take a promenade through or about.
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to conduct or display in or as if in a promenade; parade.
They promenaded their prisoner before the townspeople.
noun
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a public walk, esp at a seaside resort
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a leisurely walk, esp one in a public place for pleasure or display
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a ball or formal dance at a high school or college
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a marchlike step in dancing
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a marching sequence in a square or country dance
verb
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to take a promenade in or through (a place)
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(intr) dancing to perform a promenade
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(tr) to display or exhibit (someone or oneself) on or as if on a promenade
Other Word Forms
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"?
Vocabulary lists containing promenade
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Parking charges on Aberystwyth promenade have been discussed within the council for many years.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
Afterward, thousands of giddy fans thronged the malecón, Havana’s seaside promenade, laughing and drinking rum.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026
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
In 2016, following a $116,000 cleanup effort that required shutting down lanes of the pedestrian promenade, the city’s Transportation Department instituted a $100 fine for attaching items.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026
It was to be a grand affair, complete with a barbershop quartet, pony rides, caramel apples, a pie-baking contest, a bocce tournament, and an evening promenade under the stars.
From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
