march
21 synonyms and 0 antonyms for march, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A steady, rhythmic style of walking used especially by soldiers and marching bands.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use march
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French marcher, "to walk or trample," from a Frankish root meaning "to mark out with the foot" — related to the English word "mark."
Full origin of march →Frequently asked questions
What does “march” mean?
The word “march” means a steady, rhythmic style of walking used especially by soldiers and marching bands. In plain terms, to walk in a purposeful, rhythmic way (often in protest or as soldiers), or the month itself.
How do you pronounce “march”?
“March” is pronounced mahch (/mɑɹt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “march” in a sentence?
Here is “march” used in a sentence: “The troops kept a brisk march down the avenue.”
What part of speech is “march”?
Depending on how it is used, “march” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “march” come from?
The word “march” comes from Old French. From Old French marcher, "to walk or trample," from a Frankish root meaning "to mark out with the foot" — related to the English word "mark.".
Is “march” a common word?
“March” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “march” have?
“March” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a steady, rhythmic style of walking used especially by soldiers and marching bands.
What is the difference between marching and walking?
Walking is casual and individual — you move at your own pace and rhythm. Marching is steady, upright, and rhythmic, usually done in step with others to a regular beat, as soldiers and bands do. Marching emphasises unison, discipline, and timing, whereas ordinary walking has no fixed rhythm.
What is a march in music?
In music, a march is a piece written with a strong, regular rhythm and steady tempo so that people can walk or parade in time to it. Military and marching bands use marches to keep everyone in step. Famous examples include wedding marches and funeral marches.
What are the types of march?
Military drill recognises several, mainly by speed: the quick march is brisk and standard, the slow march is solemn and used for ceremonies and funerals, and the double march is close to a run. In music, marches also vary by purpose — processional, funeral, and celebratory marches each set a different mood.
Why do soldiers march?
Marching lets a large group move together in an orderly, coordinated way while building discipline, unity, and precise timing. Moving in step keeps ranks tidy, makes commands easy to follow, and instils the habit of acting as one body. It also has a long ceremonial role in parades and displays.