goose-step

1 of 2

verb

goose-stepped; goose-stepping; goose-steps

intransitive verb

1
: to march in a goose step
2
: to practice an unthinking conformity

goose step

2 of 2

noun

: a straight-legged stiff-kneed step used by troops of some armies when passing in review

Examples of goose-step in a Sentence

Verb the new president has everyone goose-stepping to her every whim lest they provoke her wrath
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
Variety, The Wrap, the Hollywood Reporter, the Los Angeles Times, and others goose-step to the Daily Worker, Izvestia, or Pravda. Armond White, National Review, 2 Feb. 2024 There are teenage call girls, pregnant adulterers, online strippers, goose-stepping racists, topless caterers, feuding relatives and men who cut off their manhood. Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2023 North Korea’s massive ground force, whose goose-stepping soldiers are often paraded with fanfare, substantially outsizes that of the South, but the country’s Soviet-era military equipment pales in comparison to the technologically superior weapons systems of its opponents. Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2023
Noun
Soldiers marched in goose step under a red arch emblazoned with the hammer and sickle as cannons fired 100 rounds. Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2021 The goose step is also used by North Korea and was performed by the military in Nazi Germany. Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2021 The tap-tap-tap of the goose step, dancing right up to my door. Laura Moser, The New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2021 Then suddenly, the honor guard switched to the goose step, but only for short time, less than a dozen paces. Brad Lendon, CNN, 15 Apr. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1806, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of goose-step was in 1806

Dictionary Entries Near goose-step

gooseskin

goose-step

goose step

Cite this Entry

“Goose-step.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goose-step. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

goose step

noun
: a straight-legged stiff-kneed step used by troops of some armies on parade
goose-step
ˈgüs-ˈstep
verb
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