walkabout
noun
walk·about
ˈwȯ-kə-ˌbau̇t 
1
: a short period of wandering bush life engaged in by an Australian aborigine as an occasional interruption of regular work
—often used in the phrase go walkabout
The man who went walkabout was making a ritual journey.—
Bruce Chatwin
Bruce Chatwin2
: something (such as a journey) similar to a walkabout
3
: a walking tour
especially, British
: one in which a well-known person mingles with the public
went walkabout in the streets
Examples of walkabout in a Sentence
Many people gathered to meet the Queen during her walkabout.
Recent Examples on the Web
From her first walkabouts, Diana reached out to the strangers who reached towards her.
—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
More than 90% of the action takes place in the Scottish Highlands — or its intersection with the Twilight Zone — starting with the very first scene, where von Essen’s Tommy and his hiking sidekick, Happy Anderson as Jeff, are on a middle-of-the-night walkabout.
—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Something else criticized by Greenlandic officials was Landry’s interaction with a group of children while on a walkabout in Nuuk.
—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
23 May 2026
During this year’s royal walkabout, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were joined by Sir David Beckham for a tour of the garden sponsored by his King’s Foundation.
—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for walkabout
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
More than 90% of the action takes place in the Scottish Highlands — or its intersection with the Twilight Zone — starting with the very first scene, where von Essen’s Tommy and his hiking sidekick, Happy Anderson as Jeff, are on a middle-of-the-night walkabout.
—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Something else criticized by Greenlandic officials was Landry’s interaction with a group of children while on a walkabout in Nuuk.
—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
23 May 2026
During this year’s royal walkabout, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were joined by Sir David Beckham for a tour of the garden sponsored by his King’s Foundation.
—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for walkabout
Cite this Entry
“Walkabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walkabout. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
