perambulate

verb

per·​am·​bu·​late pə-ˈram-byə-ˌlāt How to pronounce perambulate (audio)
perambulated; perambulating

transitive verb

1
: to travel over or through especially on foot : traverse
2
: to make an official inspection of (a boundary) on foot
perambulation noun
perambulatory adjective

Examples of perambulate in a Sentence

we decided to lazily perambulate the entire length of the esplanade and enjoy the fresh air long summer evenings spent perambulating up and down the tree-lined streets of the quaint village
Recent Examples on the Web The franchise has moved continually west, perambulating from Rochester to Cincinnati to Kansas City (and, briefly, Omaha, as well), and finally, in 1985, to Sacramento, where its parched fans are enjoying their first playoff run since 2006. Bob Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Apr. 2023 Sentences tend to perambulate only to land in fresh territory. Karen Heller, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2023 Bridge Street is one of Huntsville’s five Arts & Entertainment Districts, in which guests may perambulate outdoors with open containers of alcoholic beverages purchased at businesses within that district. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 22 Sep. 2022 Conveniently, Grey’s brother, Lord Melton, happens to be perambulating with Geneva and Isobel while Grey and Jamie are talking. Roxane Gay, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perambulate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin perambulatus, past participle of perambulare, from per- through + ambulare to walk

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of perambulate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near perambulate

Cite this Entry

“Perambulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perambulate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

perambulate

verb
per·​am·​bu·​late pə-ˈram-byə-ˌlāt How to pronounce perambulate (audio)
perambulated; perambulating
1
: to walk over or through
2
perambulation noun
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