esplanade

IPA/ˌespləˈneɪd/
KK[ˌɛsplənˈɑd]IPA/ˈesplənɑːd/

esplanade — noun

  • esplanadesingular
  • esplanadesplural

1. a broad flat public walkway beside the sea, a river, or another open waterfront

1.nounC1
Definition

a broad flat public walkway beside the sea, a river, or another open waterfront area, where people go to walk and enjoy the view

Example

Kemi bought roasted corn and walked slowly along the esplanade.

pattern: walk along the esplanade

Families filled the esplanade before the fireworks started over the bay.

typical seaside public walkway

Common collocations
  • seafront esplanade
  • river esplanade
  • walk along the esplanade
  • stroll down the esplanade
Synonyms
  • promenade

    close in meaning, but often stresses leisurely strolling and can sound slightly more elegant

  • boardwalk

    usually a wooden beach walkway rather than a broad paved public strip

  • walkway

    the plain everyday word for any path for people, without the scenic waterfront idea

  • boulevard

    mainly a road, even when it has space for people to walk beside it

Grammar Patterns

walk along the esplanade

on the esplanade

stroll down the esplanade

Usage Note

Usually refers to a wide public walking area beside water, often in a resort town or city. It is less common in everyday speech than walkway and is often used for a specially designed public waterfront space.

Common Mistakes

We waited on the esplanade to get on the boat.
We waited on the pier to get on the boat.
an esplanade is a walkway beside the water, not the place where passengers board.
The beach cafe is an esplanade near the hotel.
The beach cafe is on the esplanade near the hotel.
the esplanade is the public walking area, not one shop or cafe.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For noun/1, esplanade is closest to promenade because both name a broad place for walking in an open public setting, often by the sea. Esplanade usually suggests a wider, more built-up strip beside water or a large open edge, while promenade often puts more focus on the relaxed act of strolling. Boardwalk is narrower in meaning because it normally means a wooden walkway, especially at a beach. Walkway is the plain everyday word and can describe any path for pedestrians, not necessarily a scenic public one. Boulevard is different because it is mainly a road, even if people can walk beside it. You can stroll along an esplanade at sunset, but you would cross a walkway to reach the station.

promenadeboardwalk ↗walkway ↗boulevard ↗

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Esplanade came into English through French and originally referred to ground that had been made flat and open. That earlier military sense later widened into the modern idea of a broad open place or public walk, especially one beside the sea or a river where people can stroll easily.