march
B1Neutral to formal for military/protest usage; informal for month reference.
Definition
Meaning
To walk with regular, purposeful steps, especially in a group or for a protest; the third month of the year.
To proceed steadily or purposefully; a piece of music with a strong, regular rhythm suitable for marching; a long, difficult journey or period of progress (e.g., the march of time).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun is polysemous: primarily a verb of movement, a temporal unit (month), and a musical genre. The verb often implies collective, disciplined, or protest movement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'March' for the month. The verb/noun 'march' is identical in core meaning. The phrase 'march on' (to continue moving forward) is slightly more common in UK military contexts.
Connotations
In both, 'march' can carry connotations of protest, military discipline, or steady inevitability (the march of technology).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties for month and movement senses.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] + march + [A] (The soldiers marched.)[S] + march + [A] + [C] (They marched ten miles.)[S] + march + [O] + [A] (She marched the children upstairs.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Steal a march on someone”
- “On the march”
- “March to the beat of your own drum”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The company continues its march towards market dominance.'
Academic
Historical context: 'The March on Rome'; metaphorical: 'the march of scientific progress'.
Everyday
Temporal: 'My birthday is in March.' Movement: 'The scouts will march in the parade.'
Technical
Military science: 'to march in column'; Music: 'a funeral march by Chopin'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The veterans will march past the Cenotaph.
- She marched straight into the headteacher's office without knocking.
American English
- Protesters plan to march on City Hall.
- He marched the new recruits around the drill yard.
adverb
British English
- Not standard.
American English
- Not standard.
adjective
British English
- Not typically used as a pure adjective. Attributive use: 'march past' (noun), 'march tune'.
American English
- Not typically used as a pure adjective. Attributive use: 'march music', 'march order'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Spring starts in March.
- The children marched like soldiers.
- We joined the climate change march last Saturday.
- She marched into the room and demanded an explanation.
- The army began its long march across the desert.
- The new legislation is seen as a setback for the march of equality.
- Historians analyse the factors that led to the March on Versailles.
- He has always marched to the beat of his own drum, ignoring industry trends.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine soldiers MARCHing in MARCH, their boots marking the start of spring.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS MOVEMENT FORWARD (The march of time), PROGRESS IS A JOURNEY (The march of civilization).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'марш' as an order ('March!') vs. the month 'март'.
- The verb 'to march' is more specific than 'идти' – it implies rhythm and purpose.
- 'Steal a march on someone' is an idiom meaning to gain an advantage, not literally to steal.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'We march for peace yesterday.' Correct: 'We marched for peace yesterday.'
- Confusing 'march' (verb) with 'March' (proper noun, always capitalised for the month).
Practice
Quiz
In the idiom 'steal a march on someone', what does 'march' metaphorically represent?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most commonly, yes, but it can be used for an individual moving in a determined, rhythmic way (e.g., 'She marched up to the desk').
'March' implies disciplined, rhythmic walking, often for a purpose (military/protest). 'Hike' is a long walk in nature for pleasure. 'Parade' is a public procession for celebration or display.
It comes from Latin 'Martius', the month of Mars, the Roman god of war, reflecting the start of the military campaign season.
Yes, in metaphors like 'the relentless march of time' or 'the march of urban sprawl', it can convey an inexorable, sometimes negative, progression.
Collections
Part of a collection
Numbers and Time
A1 · 50 words · Numbers, dates, days and expressions of time.