Walking and running terms

Walking & Running Terms — Meaning, Use & Example

A quick reference table showing common synonyms for walking and running, where they are used, and an example sentence.

Term	Category	Meaning	Common Use	Example
Strolling	Walking	A slow, relaxed walk	Leisure, parks, casual conversation	"They spent the afternoon strolling along the riverbank."
Ambling	Walking	Easy, unhurried walking	Literature, casual descriptions	"He ambled through the market without a fixed plan."
Sauntering	Walking	A slow, confident, relaxed walk	Casual style, character description	"She sauntered into the room, smiling."
Marching	Walking	Purposeful, rhythmic walking (usually in groups)	Military, parades, demonstrations	"The band marched in step during the parade."
Trekking	Walking	Long-distance walking, often over rough terrain	Adventure, travel, mountains	"They went trekking in the Himalayas last spring."
Hiking	Walking	Day-long or multi-day walks on trails	Outdoor recreation, national parks	"We hiked to the waterfall and had lunch there."
Power walking	Walking (Fitness)	Fast, purposeful walking for exercise	Gyms, fitness routines, cardio	"She does power walking every morning for 30 minutes."
Brisk walking	Walking (Fitness)	Quick walking that raises heart rate	Health advice, walking clubs	"Doctors recommend brisk walking for better heart health."
Wandering	Walking	Walking without a fixed destination	Stories, casual exploration	"He wandered the old city, taking photos of storefronts."
Jogging	Running (Fitness)	Slow, steady running for exercise	Daily fitness, warm-ups	"I go jogging three times a week to stay fit."
Sprinting	Running (Athletics)	Very fast running over a short distance	Track events, short bursts in sports	"The athlete won the 100m sprint with a new personal best."
Racing	Running (Competition)	Competing to be fastest over a set distance	Marathons, track meets, road races	"She entered a 10K race and finished in the top ten."
Dashing	Running	Running quickly, often short and urgent	Everyday speech, storytelling	"He dashed to the store before it closed."
Trotting	Running / Animal	A steady, moderate-speed run (often used for animals)	Informal, descriptive language	"The dog trotted happily beside its owner."
Endurance running	Running (Athletics)	Long-distance running requiring stamina	Marathons, ultra-runs, training programs	"Endurance running needs careful pacing and nutrition."