walk-on

[wawk-on, -awn]

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noun

Also called walking part. a small part in a play or other entertainment, especially one without speaking lines.Compare bit²(def 6).

an entertainer or actor who plays such a part.

an athlete trying out for a team who has not been drafted, specifically invited, scouted, awarded a scholarship, etc.

Origin of walk-on

First recorded in 1900–05; noun use of verb phrase walk on

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for walk-on

piece, star, actor, performer, appearance, act, character, part, aspect, portrayal, performance, walk-on, artist, clown, player, villain, comedian, entertainer, dialogue, hero

Examples from the Web for walk-on

Contemporary Examples of walk-on

From a walk-on for ‘Annie’ to an island for Linda McMahon, a few better uses for all of that money.
What They Could Have Bought: Better Uses for Campaign Spending
Paula Froelich
November 11, 2012
Rebecca Dana landed a walk-on part as a lipstick lesbian in the Sex and the City 2.
Our Hottest Stories of 2009
The Daily Beast
December 30, 2009

Historical Examples of walk-on

Supe, walk-on, stock, musical comedy—Josie went through them all.
Cheerful--By Request
Edna Ferber

British Dictionary definitions for walk-on

walk-on

noun

a small part in a play or theatrical entertainment, esp one without any lines
(as modifier)a walk-on part

adjective

(of an aircraft or air service) having seats to be booked immediately before departure rather than in advance

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 walk-on

"minor non-speaking role," 1902, theatrical slang. Meaning "actor who has such a part" is attested from 1946. The sports team sense is recorded from 1974.