speed walking: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal when referring to the sport; informal when describing fast walking.
Quick answer
What does “speed walking” mean?
A form of competitive walking where participants walk as fast as possible while maintaining continuous contact with the ground (one foot must always be in contact with the surface). It is governed by specific technique rules distinguishing it from running.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A form of competitive walking where participants walk as fast as possible while maintaining continuous contact with the ground (one foot must always be in contact with the surface). It is governed by specific technique rules distinguishing it from running.
Informally, it can refer to walking at a brisk, purposeful pace, often for exercise or to save time, though without the strict technical form of the sport.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally recognised in both varieties for the sport. In informal contexts, BrE might use "power walking" more interchangeably for fast exercise walking, while AmE may use "speed walking" slightly more for the informal sense.
Connotations
In a sporting context, it carries connotations of discipline, technique, and endurance. Informally, it connotes haste, efficiency, or vigorous exercise.
Frequency
Low frequency in general corpora; higher frequency in sports and fitness contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “speed walking” in a Sentence
[Subject] + practise/do/take up + speed walking[Subject] + compete in + speed walking[Subject] + be good at + speed walkingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “speed walking” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She had to speed-walk to the station to catch her train.
- I'll just speed-walk there; it's not far.
American English
- He speed-walked through the airport to make his connection.
- We can speed-walk the track for our cardio today.
adjective
British English
- He joined a local speed-walking club.
- She's a speed-walking enthusiast.
American English
- He set a new speed-walking record.
- They watched the speed-walking trials on television.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially metaphorical: 'The project is moving at a speed-walking pace—steady but not running.'
Academic
Used in sports science, kinesiology, and physiology texts discussing gait analysis, energy expenditure, or Olympic sports.
Everyday
Used to describe someone walking very fast, often with a sense of purpose or urgency. 'Sorry I'm late, I had to speed-walk the whole way!'
Technical
Used in athletics with precise definitions regarding knee straightening and continuous ground contact.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “speed walking”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “speed walking”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “speed walking”
- Using 'speed walking' to mean 'jogging' or 'running'. The key distinction is the walking gait and foot contact.
- Misspelling as one word: 'speedwalking' (less standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Speed walking' (or racewalking) is a specific competitive sport with technical rules. 'Power walking' is a fitness activity emphasising brisk pace and arm motion, but without the same strict gait rules.
Yes, the sport (officially called racewalking) has been in the Olympics for men since 1908 and for women since 1992.
Yes, like any athletic activity, improper technique or overtraining in speed walking can lead to injuries, particularly in the shins, knees, and hips.
Yes, speed walking is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that can burn a significant number of calories and contribute to weight loss, often with lower joint impact than running.
A form of competitive walking where participants walk as fast as possible while maintaining continuous contact with the ground (one foot must always be in contact with the surface). It is governed by specific technique rules distinguishing it from running.
Speed walking is usually neutral to formal when referring to the sport; informal when describing fast walking. in register.
Speed walking: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspiːd ˌwɔːkɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspiːd ˌwɑːkɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SPEEDometer for WALKING. You're measuring how fast you can walk without breaking into a run.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVING FAST IS EFFICIENT / DISCIPLINE IS CONTROL (The sport metaphorically represents controlled, rule-bound haste).
Practice
Quiz
What is the key technical rule that distinguishes speed walking from running?