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)

promenades, present (3rd person singular) promenaded, past participle, past promenading present participle

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

2. to execute a promenade in square dancing.

verb (used with object)

promenades, present (3rd person singular) promenaded, past participle, past promenading present participle

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

Derived Forms

• promenader
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have promenaded
  perfect
• has promenaded
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are promenading
  progressive
• is promenading
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been promenading
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am promenading
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been promenading
  perfect progressive
• promenades
  singular 3rd person
• promenading
  participle

Past

• had promenaded
  perfect
• was promenading
  progressive singular
• had been promenading
  perfect progressive
• were promenading
  progressive plural
• promenaded
  participle
• promenaded
  simple

Future

• will promenade
  simple
• will have promenaded
  perfect
• will have been promenading
  perfect progressive
• will be promenading
  progressive

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

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

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

In 2023, indoor pickleball venue Pickle Pop opened in Santa Monica, in part to try to revive ailing Third Street Promenade.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2025

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

From BBC • May 25, 2025

The “Entertainment Zone” will be located between Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway across the 1200 and 1400 blocks of the Promenade.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025

I wonder if this Promenade is expensive or if we'd both be out of place, but Warren seems like he can handle being anywhere, even with his diamond studs and sneakers.

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi

Related Words

• boardwalk
• deck
• mall