walkabout

American  

[wawk-uh-bout] / ˈwɔk əˌbaʊt /

noun

1. Chiefly British.

   1. a walking tour.

   2. an informal public stroll taken by members of the royal family or by a political figure for the purpose of greeting and being seen by the public.

2. Australian.

   1. a brief, informal leave from work, taken by an Aboriginal person to wander the bush, visit relatives, or return to Native life.

   2. absence from work.

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walkabout British  

/ ˈwɔːkəˌbaʊt /

noun

1. a periodic nomadic excursion into the Australian bush made by a native Australian

2. a walking tour

3. an occasion when celebrities, royalty, etc, walk among and meet the public

4. 1. to wander through the bush

   2. informal to be lost or misplaced

   3. informal to lose one's concentration

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Etymology

Origin of walkabout

First recorded in 1905–10; noun use of verb phrase walk about

Example Sentences

It was on one such walkabout that he crossed the hare’s path.

From Literature

The Speed epic walkabouts have not been without mishaps, like in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare.

From BBC

While Touadera held rallies in Bangui's stadium, his top two critics had to make do with neighbourhood walkabouts and events in schools or their party offices.

From Barron's

The King surprised some shoppers outside the event, wishing them a "Merry Christmas" and shaking hands in an impromptu walkabout in the rain.

From BBC

Kruglov had worked as a fiber optics cable installer in New York, but a little over a year ago, he left the city to embark on a walkabout.

From Salon

Related Words

• backpacking
• trek
• trip