walking
n. · adj.-
1 the activity (n.) A1 Beginnerthe act or exercise of going for a walk.
the act of traveling on foot, typically for recreation, exercise, or as a mode of transport.
ExampleWalking is a great way to see the city without spending money on buses.
ExampleDaily walking has been shown to significantly improve cardiovascular health and mental well-being in adults of all ages.
UsageOften functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the sport or hobby.
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2 representing a quality (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informalused to describe a person who is a perfect example of a specific quality.
serving as a living or personified example of a particular attribute or state.
ExampleMy grandfather is a walking encyclopedia of local history.
ExampleThe lead investigator was described by his colleagues as a walking disaster, prone to losing critical evidence at every turn.
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3 music style (adj.) C1 Advanced Technical Musica style of music, especially in jazz, where the bass plays a steady, regular beat like footsteps.
denoting a bass line characterized by continuous, equal-value notes that create a sense of forward motion.
ExampleThe jazz band used a walking bass line to keep the rhythm steady.
ExampleThe bassist maintained a sophisticated walking line throughout the bridge, providing a harmonic foundation for the saxophone solo.
UsageAlmost exclusively used in the phrase 'walking bass' or 'walking line'.
From Middle English walkynge, walkinge, walkinde, walkende, walkand, walkande, from Old English wealcende (attested as Old English wealcendes), from Proto-Germanic walkandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic walkaną (“to roll, trample, walk”), equivalent to walk + -ing.
From Middle English walkyng, walkinge, equivalent to walk + -ing.