march
mahch
March (noun) means a steady, rhythmic style of walking used especially by soldiers and marching bands. Example: “The troops kept a brisk march down the avenue.”
noun
1
A steady, rhythmic style of walking used especially by soldiers and marching bands.
"The troops kept a brisk march down the avenue."
"The guards turned at the gate and set off at a slow march."
"You could hear the steady march of boots on the cobbles."
2
An organized public walk undertaken to make a political statement.
"Thousands joined the march for climate action."
"Teachers and parents organised a march to ask for safer roads near the school."
"We carried banners in the march through the city centre on Saturday."
3
A piece of music written with a strong, steady beat suited to marching.
"The band played a rousing march to open the parade."
"The orchestra finished the concert with a lively march that had everyone clapping."
"He learned to play a famous march on the trumpet."
4
(capitalized) The third month of the year, between February and April.
"The clocks change in March."
"Daffodils usually start to flower in March, when the weather turns milder."
"My sister's birthday is in March, so we always plan a spring party."
verb
1
To walk with firm, regular steps, especially in a group.
"The soldiers marched in perfect formation."
"She marched straight into the manager's office to complain."
"The scouts marched along the lane, singing as they went."
2
To make steady, continuous progress.
"Technology marches on, whether we're ready or not."
"Time marches on, and the little shop on our street has changed again."
"Despite the setbacks, the project marched forward week after week."
How to use march
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo walk in a purposeful, rhythmic way (often in protest or as soldiers), or the month itself.
Common pairings
march in protest
march forward
a military march
early March
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Word forms
- Plural
- marches
- Third person singular
- marches
- Past tense
- marched
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The troops kept a brisk _____ down the avenue.
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."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for march
See all rhymes for 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.
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