promenade

[prom-uh-neyd, -nahd]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR promenade ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a stroll or walk, especially in a public place, as for pleasure or display.

an area used for such walking.

a march of guests into a ballroom constituting the opening of a formal ball.

a march of dancers in square dancing.

a formal dance; prom.

verb (used without object), prom·e·nad·ed, prom·e·nad·ing.

to go for or take part in a promenade.

to execute a promenade in square dancing.

verb (used with object), prom·e·nad·ed, prom·e·nad·ing.

to take a promenade through or about.

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. 2019

Related Words for promenade

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

Examples from the Web for promenade

Contemporary Examples of promenade

At night jineteras stalk the promenade in search of tourists while a trumpet from a bench serenades the proceedings.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind
Brin-Jonathan Butler
December 19, 2014
“You should go and see the promenade in the early morning,” one local (who asked not to be named) urged me.
Party on in Pag: The Controversy on Croatia’s Hottest Island
Kristin Vukovic
August 25, 2013
The action has since shifted to the Peace Forest/Tayelet (the promenade that dramatically overlooks East Jerusalem).
Violence is the New Normal in Abu Tor
Rabbi Daniel Landes
July 24, 2013
The highlight for many of us in Southern Jerusalem will be the post-Kol Nidre Emek Refaim promenade.
Celebrating An Open Jerusalem
Gil Troy
September 25, 2012
A few moments to preen and promenade for the cameras following months of planning and fitting, hours of hair and makeup.
America's First Modern Celebrity
Laura Skandera Trombley
March 20, 2010

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.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
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

mainly British a public walk, esp at a seaside resort

a leisurely walk, esp one in a public place for pleasure or display

US and Canadian a ball or formal dance at a high school or college

a marchlike step in dancing

a marching sequence in a square or country dance

verb

to take a promenade in or through (a place)

(intr) dancing to perform a promenade

(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

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.

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