Walk | Define Walk at Dictionary.com walk verb (used without object) 1. to advance or travel on foot at a moderate speed or pace; proceed by steps; move by advancing the feet alternately so that there is always one foot on the ground in bipedal locomotion and two or more feet on the ground in quadrupedal locomotion. 2. to move about or travel on foot for exercise or pleasure: We can walk in the park after lunch. 3. (of things) to move in a manner suggestive of walking, as through repeated vibrations or the effect of alternate expansion and contraction: He typed so hard that the lamp walked right off the desk. 4. Baseball. to receive a base on balls. 5. to go on strike; stage a walkout: The miners will walk unless they get a pay raise. to be acquitted or to be released or fined rather than sentenced to jail: If the prosecutor doesn't present his case well, the murderer may walk. 6. to go about on the earth, or appear to living persons, as a ghost: to believe that spirits walk at night. 7.

(of a tool, pointer, or pen of a recording device, etc.) to glide, slip, or move from a straight course, fixed position, or the like: A regular drill bit may walk on a plastic surface when you first try to make a hole. When the earthquake started, the pen on the seismograph walked all over the paper. 8. to conduct oneself in a particular manner; pursue a particular course of life: to walk humbly with thy God. 9. Basketball. (of a player in possession of the ball) to take more than two steps without dribbling or passing the ball. 10. Obsolete. to be in motion or action. verb (used with object) to proceed through, over, or upon at a moderate pace on foot: walking London streets by night; walking the floor all night. 12. to cause to walk; lead, drive, or ride at a walk, as an animal: We walked our horses the last quarter of a mile. 13. to force or help to walk, as a person: They were walking him around the room soon after his operation. 14. to conduct or accompany on a walk: He walked them about the park. 15.

to move (a box, trunk, or other object) in a manner suggestive of walking , as by a rocking motion. 16. Baseball. (of a pitcher) to give a base on balls to (a batter). 17. to spend or pass (time) in walking (often followed by away): We walked the morning away along the beach. 18. to cause or accomplish by walking : We saw them walking guard over the chain gang. 19. to examine, measure, etc., by traversing on foot: to walk a track; to walk the boundaries of the property. 20. Basketball. to advance (the ball) by taking more than two steps without dribbling or passing. 21. Informal. to send (a person who has a reservation at a hotel) to another hotel because of overbooking: It's exasperating to find yourself walked when you arrive at a hotel late in the evening. noun an act or instance of walking or going on foot. 23. a period of walking for exercise or pleasure: to go for a walk. 24. a distance walked or to be walked, often in terms of the time required: not more than ten minutes' walk from town. 25.

the gait or pace of a person or an animal that walks. 26. a characteristic or individual manner of walking: It was impossible to mistake her walk. 27. a department or branch of activity, or a particular line of work: They found every walk of life closed against them. 28. to walk out of a committee meeting. 45. walk out on, to leave unceremoniously; desert; forsake: to walk out on one's family. 46. walk out with, British. to court or be courted by: Cook is walking out with the chauffeur. 47. walk through, Theater, Television. to release (a play) by combining a reading aloud of the lines with the designated physical movements. Informal. to perform (a role, play, etc.) in a perfunctory manner. to make little or no effort in performing one's role: He didn't like the script and walked through his part. 48. walk up, (of a hunter) to flush (game) by approaching noisily on foot and often with hunting dogs. Idioms 49. take a walk, Informal.

to leave, especially abruptly and without any intention or prospect of returning (often used imperatively to indicate dismissal): If he doesn't get his way, he takes a walk. I don't need your advice, so take a walk. 50. walk (someone) through, to guide or instruct carefully one step at a time: The teacher will walk the class through the entire testing procedure before the real test begins. 51. (transitive) to pass through, on, or over on foot, esp habitually 3. (transitive) to cause, assist, or force to move along at a moderate rate: to walk a dog 4. (transitive) to escort or conduct by walking: to walk someone home 5. (intransitive) (of ghosts, spirits, etc) to appear or move about in visible form 6. (of inanimate objects) to move or cause to move in a manner that resembles walking 7. (intransitive) to follow a certain course or way of life: to walk in misery 8. (transitive) to bring into a certain condition by walking: I walked my shoes to shreds 9. (transitive) to measure, survey, or examine by walking 10.

(transitive) (baseball) to allow a batter to go to first base without batting by throwing four balls outside of the strike zone 11. (intransitive) (basketball) Also travel. to take more than two steps without passing or dribbling the ball 12. to disappear or be stolen: where's my pencil? It seems to have walked 13. (intransitive) (slang, mainly US) (in a court of law) to be acquitted or given a noncustodial sentence 14. walk it, to win easily 15. walk the plank, See plank 1 (sense 4) 16. walk on air, to be delighted or exhilarated 17. (informal) walk tall, to have self-respect or pride 18. the act or an instance of walking 21. the distance or extent walked 22. a manner of walking; gait 23. a place set aside for walking; promenade 24. a chosen profession or sphere of activity (esp in the phrase walk of life) 25. a foot race in which competitors walk 26.

an arrangement of trees or shrubs in widely separated rows the space between such rows 27. an enclosed ground for the exercise or feeding of domestic animals, esp horses 28. (mainly Brit) the route covered in the course of work, as by a tradesman or postman 29. a procession; march: Orange walk 30. Walking Problems | 15 Things Your Walk Reveals About Your Health 15 Things Your Walk Reveals About Your Health By Paula Spencer Scott , Caring.com Author Walk into an exam room and a trained eye can tell a lot about you in seconds: Your stride, gait, pace, and posture while walking can reveal surprising information about your overall health and well-being. "Many physicians are keenly aware, when they see someone walking down the street, what their diagnosis might be, whether their underlying health is good or bad, and if not good, a number of tip-offs to what might be wrong," says Charles Blitzer, an orthopedic surgeon in Somersworth, New Hampshire, and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Find out what the following 15 walking styles may signal about your health.

Walking clue #1: A snail's pace May reveal: Shorter life expectancy Advertisement Walking speed is a reliable marker for longevity, according to a University of Pittsburgh analysis of nine large studies, reported in a January 2011 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. The 36,000 subjects were all over age 65. In fact, predicting survival based on walking speed proved to be as accurate as using age, sex, chronic conditions, smoking, body mass index, hospitalizations, and other common markers. It's especially accurate for those over age 75. The average speed was 3 feet per second (about two miles an hour). Those who walked slower than 2 feet per second (1.36 miles per hour) had an increased risk of dying. Those who walked faster than 3.3 feet per second (2.25 miles per hour) or faster survived longer than would be predicted simply by age or gender. A 2006 report in JAMA found that among adults ages 70 to 79, those who couldn't walk a quarter mile were less likely to be alive six years later. They were also more likely to suffer illness and disability before death.

An earlier study of men ages 71 to 93 found that those who could walk two miles a day had half the risk of heart attack of those who could walk only a quarter mile or less. Simply walking faster or farther doesn't make you healthier -- in fact, pushing it could make you vulnerable to injury. Rather, each body seems to find a natural walking speed based on its overall condition. If it's slow, it's usually because of underlying health issues that are cutting longevity. Walking clue #2: Not too much arm swing May reveal: Lower back trouble Advertisement "It's really amazing the way that we're made," says physical therapist Steve Bailey, owner of Prompt Physical Therapy in Knoxville, Tennessee. As the left leg comes forward, the spine goes into a right rotation and the right arm moves back. This coordination of the muscles on both sides is what gives support to the lower back, he says. If someone is walking without much swing to the arm, it's a red flag that the spine isn't being supported as well as it could be, because of some kind of limitation in the back's mobility. Back pain or a vulnerability to damage can follow. "Arm swing is a great indicator of how the back is functioning," Bailey says.

Walking clue #3: One foot slaps the ground May reveal: Ruptured disk in back, possible stroke Sometimes experts don't have to see you walk -- they can hear you coming down the hall. A condition called "foot slap" or "drop foot" is when your foot literally slaps the ground as you walk. "It's caused by muscle weakness of the anterior tibial muscle or the peroneal muscles," says podiatrist Jane E. Andersen, who has a practice in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and is a past president of the American Association for Women Podiatrists. A healthy stride starts with a heel strike, then the foot slowly lowers to the ground, then it lifts from the toe and slings back to your heel. But with drop foot, muscle control is lost and the foot can't return slowly to the ground. Instead, it "slaps" the ground. Advertisement "This could be a sign of a stroke or other neuromuscular event, or of compression of a nerve," Andersen says. A ruptured disk in the back is a common cause, since it can compress a nerve that travels down the leg.

A rare cause of drop foot is simply crossing your legs, Andersen says, if the common peroneal nerve is disrupted from the pressure. More things your walk reveals about your health Walking clue #4: A confident stride (in a woman) May reveal: Sexual satisfaction Your stride and gait don't always indicate bad things. A study conducted in Belgium and Scotland, reported in the September, 2008, Journal of Sexual Medicine, found that a woman's walk can reveal her orgasmic ability. Women who have a fluid, energetic stride seem to be more likely to easily and often have vaginal orgasms, researchers said. They compared the gaits of women known to be orgasmic (defined as by penile intercourse, not direct clitoral stimulation) with those who were not. What's the connection? The theory is that orgasms contribute to muscles that are neither flaccid nor locked. Result: a freer, easier stride, researchers found, as well as greater sexual confidence and better self-esteem. Walking clue #5: A short stride May reveal: Knee or hip degeneration Advertisement When the heel hits the ground at the beginning of a stride, the knee should be straight.

If it's not, that can indicate a range-of-motion problem in which something is impairing the ability of the knee joint to move appropriately within the kneecap. "Degenerative changes in the knee sometimes need to be addressed by manual therapy to stretch out the tightness and improve that range of motion," Bailey says. A similar cause of a short stride is lacking extension, or good range of motion, in the hip. By taking shorter steps, the walker doesn't have to extend as far. "Unfortunately, that compensation puts more stress on the back," Bailey says. "In older people, a big issue in the back is having enough space for the joints and nerves as it is. When you don't have a lot of hip extension, there's not a lot of room to play with, and it can cause back pain and neural issues, such as drop foot." Walking clue #6: Dropping the pelvis or shoulder to one side May reveal: A back problem Muscles called the abductors on the outside of the hips work to keep the pelvis level with each step we take.

So while we're lifting one leg and swinging it forward, and standing on the other, the abductors keep the body even -- unless those muscles aren't working properly, Bailey says. What happens then is that the body compensates. In a common walking pattern known as the Trelendenberg gait, as the heel strikes the ground on the unaffected side, the pelvis drops on that side to try to reduce the amount of force the muscle has to produce on the other side. Sometimes the compensating is so pronounced that the whole shoulder dips as well. The ultimate cause of the weak abductors is often a back problem , Bailey says. More things your walk reveals about your health Walking clue #7: Bowlegged stride May reveal: Osteoarthritis "Think of the classic image of the old, slow, bow-legged cowboy," says orthopedic surgeon Blitzer. "He probably looks that way because of arthritic knees." Eighty-five percent of people with osteoarthritis (OA), the wear-and-tear form of the disease associated with aging, have a slightly bowlegged walk, he says. Bowlegs (also called genu varum) happen because the body can't be supported adequately; the knees literally bow out.

Rickets or genes can also produce a bow-legged walking style, but these causes are more commonly associated with kids than grown-ups, and they can be outgrown or corrected with braces. Walking clue #8: Knock-kneed appearance May reveal: Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the kind that's an inflammatory disease, produces a knock-kneed walk, where the knees bend in toward one another. "About 85 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis are knock-kneed," Blitzer says. In knock-knee (genu valgum, or valgus knee), the lower legs aren't straight but bend outward. This can create a distinctive, awkward-looking walk where the knees are close together and the ankles are farther apart. Sometimes osteoarthritis can also result in knock-knees, depending which joints are affected. Walking clue #9: A shortened stride on turns and when maneuvering around things May reveal: Poor physical condition Balance is a function of coordination between three systems: vision, the inner ear, and what's called "proprioception," which is the joints' ability to tell you their position. The joints can do this because of receptors in the connective tissue around them.

But the quality of the receptors is related to how much motion the joint experiences. "It's the old use-it-or-lose-it," Bailey says. "When you're active, you lay down more receptors in the connective tissue, so your proprioception is better." That means you have better balance. And it's why someone with balance problems is often frail or in poor physical condition. "If you have trouble balancing, you have a shorter stride, and it's especially noticeable on turns or when you're maneuvering around objects. You also have trouble going up steps, which requires balancing on one foot for a longer amount of time," Bailey says. "You do much better on straightaways." Blitzer encourages frail patients who need canes and walkers but avoid them because they "don't want to look old" to set aside their pride and use them. "Better to use adaptive devices and continue to be active than to be sedentary, which is a vicious cycle that makes you more sedentary," he says. Balance problems can be also be related to peripheral neuropathy, a kind of nerve damage caused by diabetes, Andersen says. Other common causes include alcohol abuse and vitamin deficiencies.

More things your walk reveals about your health Walking clue #10: A flat step without much lift May reveal: Flat feet, bunions, neuromas Flat feet are obvious at a glance: There's almost no visible arch (hence one of the condition's names, "fallen arches"). But other conditions can also cause a flat walk. When the person takes a step, the foot flattens even as the heel is lifting off the ground, when it would normally be going into an arched position. The heel may also shift slightly to the inside when it comes up, and the toes may flex upward. These kind of movements are attempts to create better stability where there isn't any because of a painful bunion (an abnormal enlargement of the bone or tissue around the base of the big toe) or a neuroma (a nerve condition) in the foot. The most common neuroma, called Morton's neuroma, is extremely painful thickening of the nerve between the third and fourth toes. The stepping pattern changes in order to protect what hurts. Walking clue #11: Shuffling May reveal: Parkinson's disease Shuffling -- bending forward and having difficulty lifting feet off the ground -- isn't an inevitable aspect of aging.

It's a distinct gait that may indicate that someone has Parkinson's disease . The person's steps may also be short and hesitant. "Shuffling is one of the most common manifestations of Parkinson's, a neuromotor dysfunction in a neuromuscular disease," says Blitzer. Along with tremors, it can be an early sign of the disease. People with advanced dementia, such as is caused by Alzheimer's disease, may also shuffle as a result of cognitive trouble -- the brain and musculature don't communicate well. But by the time this happens, memory loss and problems with thinking skills are far more obvious. Walking clue #12: Walking on tiptoes, both feet May reveal: Cerebral palsy or spinal cord trauma Another distinctive gait owing to an underlying condition is "toe-walking." The toe reaches the ground before the heel, instead of the other way around. It's related to overactive muscle tone, caused by stretch receptors that fire incorrectly in the brain. When the toe-walking happens on both sides, it's almost always because of damage high in the spinal column or brain, such as cerebral palsy or spinal cord trauma.

Note: Sometimes toddlers walk on tiptoe for a while as they're getting the hang of it, but this doesn't mean they have a palsy. If you're concerned, mention it to the child's doctor, who will assess for other signs of a problem. More things your walk reveals about your health Walking clue #13: Walking on tiptoes, one foot May reveal: Stroke Doctors assessing toe-walking look for symmetry: Is it happening on both sides or only one? When a person toe-walks only on one side, it's an indicator of stroke , which usually damages one side of the body. When polio was still a scourge in the U.S., affected people often had one withered extremity and one-sided toe-walking was more common. Walking clue #14: A bouncing gait May reveal: Unusually tight calf muscles One unusual stride is a gait that causes the walker to literally bounce a bit. Specialists can see the heel-off, the first part of a normal step, happen a bit too quickly, because of tight calf muscles. Women are the most vulnerable, because of chronic high heel use, podiatrist Andersen says.

"I've seen women in their 60s who have been told to exercise -- sometimes for the first time in her life because a doctor is ordering it for a health issue -- and she can't because she can't comfortably wear a flat shoe," she says. "The same thing can happen much earlier in life, too, such as with a 25-year-old who's been wearing stilettos since she was a teenager." Walking clue #15: One higher arch and/or a pelvis that dips slightly May reveal: One leg is shorter than the other Limb (or leg) length discrepancy simply means that one leg is shorter than the other. Experts can spot this in several different ways. One is by looking at the foot while you take a step, says podiatrist Andersen; one foot will have a higher arch and the other will look flatter. The flatter foot usually corresponds to the longer leg, she says. Also, because the shorter leg has to go a bit farther to get to the floor, the pelvis may drop down slightly in the stride, adds Bailey.

"If you pull up the shirt you can often see changes to the lumbar spine -- a horizontal crease along the spine on the side with the longer leg, because the spine is bending in that direction." You can be born with limb discrepancy or get it as the result of knee or hip replacements, if limbs don't line up perfectly after healing. But unless the discrepancy is three-quarters of an inch or more, Blitzer says, studies indicate it probably won't cause health problems. Shoe inserts usually can make up for a quarter-inch discrepancy; surgery is sometimes recommended for larger differences. Assisted Living Costs Near You Compare pictures, pricing, options. 10 Best Ways to Beat Chronic Pain 9 months ago, Pasteltulips said... With my shoes on I can walk but I have weakness on my right side, when I have no shoes and try to walk, my legs shake and tremble and I almost fall, I don't have flat feet, I have a big arch, I am 38 female, I have pain in my feet and legs alot, my right hip often hurts so bad I have trouble driving. No doctor knows what this is, can anyone assist me in the right direction or to what is causing this.

I do get tingling feelings in my calfs and bottom of feet. When I walk with shoes I shuffle my feet when ever I can. Any help? 11 months ago, sahrens414 said... I had just left a note and forgot to mention that the physicians tried my husband on Sinemet after they evaluated. him. The Sinemet made everything a whole lot worse and he was unable to even feed himself that day. He hallucinated too. They took him off the medication and told us this ruled out Parkinson's. Therefore they had no idea what his shuffling gait was caused by. 11 months ago, sahrens414 said... These are very helpful but do not quite describe what I see in my husband. He has a hard time getting up and started. Once he does he shuffles his feet and he arches his back. One of this legs is thinner than the other. He then starts fast walking and this is a sign he will fall unless he stops. His balance is poor, he feels weak when walking. A slight touch on his shoulder will cause him to fall over 1 year ago, ChelseyH said...

The whole time reading this all I could think was "oh crap, oh crap, oh crap,..."... over 1 year ago, linfbax said... My father in law has started walking with his pelvic area thrust forward in small steps. He denies any pain. Does anyone have any idea what might cause this? over 1 year ago, cuddys51 said... Ty great info about 2 years ago, JBronson said... Things I did not know and may need to some day. about 2 years ago, jasinnamon said... Clue #2 Headline and following content seem to contradict each other, i.e. "Not too much arm swing" means to me that arm swing may indicate poor health. However, the content states just the opposite. Maybe the headline should be something like Too little arm swing. almost 3 years ago, Kyna said... I have several of these problems and wanted to know what was going on. Now I know and can deal with them. almost 3 years ago, a fellow commenter said... I always wondered why I had a bouncy walk. almost 3 years ago, a fellow commenter said... Very informative overall.

I have a 90 year old husband who has had some interesting gait problems and this helped explain why. almost 3 years ago, mariannef said... I noticed my husband was walking with a part shuffle and/or part foot slap so I asked his neurologist to watch him walk. Of course, like a car, he strode perfectly on her carpet. It seems to have gotten worse which I will point out when we go for our next visit. And voila! It is indeed caused by his Alzheimer's. Thank you for enlightening me. mariannef almost 3 years ago, CA-Claire said... I really like the information in this article. One thought does come to mind. Most of the time we see our physicians, we are already in a small examining room, and they do not see us walk. So, unless we suspect something is off, who is going to see it? almost 3 years ago, a fellow commenter said... recently been getting Physical Therapy. He trained me to use the left heel strike. Walk faster, arms swinging, thumbs up and immediately you stand up straight instead of bent over or slouching. Simply amazing almost 4 years ago, a fellow commenter said...

Simple symptoms, that Simple Simons, like me, can understand.Learning just one could help save a life. Thank you almost 4 years ago, oldblackdog said... I am curious - An anonymous caregiver - talked about walking with the feet pointed out ( 15 degrees) - joking ( like about walking like the HS guys) or serious? Where did this come from? And on having a short stride - that's fine - as a matter of fact, to walk faster, it's better to make quicker, not longer strides ( as in too long for your body). I think as long as this was emailed out recently, the editor should come back to this, update the article and respond to some of the comments/questions. almost 4 years ago, a fellow commenter said... Gave insightful information, especially in relation to possible indication for Parkinson's. almost 4 years ago, notmyage said... Made me realize I probably should do more walking alone, not with my 2 dogs. Many thanks! about 4 years ago, a fellow commenter said... Now I'm trying to find fault with my gait on whether I'm on the way out.

I broke my right angle several years ago, I've got flat feet and I'm some what corpulent. Obviously I won't walk like Heidi Klum on the runway; I try to emulate the tough Italian guys in high school who kept the their heels in and yet avoided the duck walk ( they did have the DA hair style then though). I try to keep the 15 degrees outwards on my feet though...and it's tough to keep this up after walking fast. Yes I have short stride, but being 5'7'' I believe I have a decent excuse. Wow, when I'm on all fours is when my life will over, unless I had a bender the night before. Lol about 4 years ago, PDdaughter said... Regarding "Walking clue #15: One higher arch and/or a pelvis that dips slightly" --when I was tested for scoliosis at age 15, my left leg was determined to be 1/4-inch shorter than my right.

25 years later, after a car accident in which I sustained neck injuries, I found my way to a chiropractor specializing in atlas orthogonality (AO), which gentle form of chiropractic care adjusts subluxations in the C-1 vertebrae, also known as the atlas. At my first appointment, I was informed that my left leg was now 1-3/4 inches shorter than my right leg. The transformation over the years had been so gradual that, although I noticed some visual symmetry issues in my waist and hip area, I never had any physical issue. Another decade has passed since then and I still do maintenance appointments with my AO chiropractor (who perfected the technique / instrumentation and now calls it "advanced orthogonol"). Not only are both legs the same length when I'm holding my C-1 adjustment but I no longer have scoliosis. No surgery, no heel/foot lift; just correction of my C-1 vertebrae. Hope this info. helps others since I sure wish I'd found AO many years ago! :-) about 4 years ago, a fellow commenter said... extremely interesting about 4 years ago, oldblackdog said...

One more addition to the #9 clue: Peripheral neuropathy is more and more frequently the result of chemotherapy. The more people live through bouts of cancer and treatment, the more common this is. And it can be mild or debilitating.One friend makes efforts to go swimming for exercise because she cannot walk without burning pain. about 4 years ago, oldblackdog said... Good stuff. I's like to add another concern - balance can also be disrupted by other conditions. My mom had some problems which may have come from a condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus, stemming from changes in the brain because of the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid and increased pressure. One clue is another gait change - starting with things that look like other changes associated with aging or poor health ( slowness, unsteadiness, leaning way forward,problems with stairs, problems related to artificial joints) and ending with a dragging step - as if the feet are stuck to the floor, The problem is that it takes surgery on the brain to definitely diagnose the problem ( a shunt is inserted - if the problems clear up, you know it was the right Diagnosis).

For my mom she had lost too much ground to risk this, but it is something to keep in mind, especially when there is a "mysterious" balance issue. Catscans may show enlarged ventricles. Who Walks You Down The Aisle | Bridal Spectacular | Bridal Show Who Walks You Down The Aisle Home · Wedding Tips · Who Walks You Down The Aisle As times continue to change and weddings become more personalized, Las Vegas brides are asking: Who walks me down the aisle? We all know the traditional answer. Look at any wedding ceremony processional guide, and you’ll find the bride is escorted by her father. Today's bride has many more options! For brides with fathers at home, You may decide to share the longstanding tradition with your father. Your Dad will be honored to give his little girl away to be married to the love of her life. But if “Traditional” is not for you there are plenty of important figures in your life that would be honored and deserve to be honored. Who will you choose to walk you down the aisle? Brides in any circumstance deserve to feel radiant as they walk down the aisle at their Las Vegas weddings .

As a cornerstone of the ceremony, this walk lets the bride make her wedding day debut special and memorable. Naturally, Las Vegas brides, you want someone with you who will make you feel confident and calm as you take steps to transition into a new phase of life as a married woman. That special person could be your mom or dad. If your parents are not available to walk you down the aisle for whatever reason, embrace your identity as a modern bride. Recently, we spoke with several brides to explore what they would recommend, from the classic “father of the bride” walk down the aisle to nontraditional methods for brides who were from non-traditional families. Of course, each bride is different. You have to find what best works for you, your family, and your fiance. But if you aren’t sure where to start, here are a few “walk down the aisle” options: If your father and mother are married and both are important to you: You love the idea of walking down the aisle with Dad. However, since Mom played a huge role in your life too, you don’t want her to feel like she’s not included or recognized in your wedding. Ask Mom how she wants to be involved.

Does she want to walk you down the aisle? She may be completely content letting Dad walk you down the aisle since she’s involved in many separate, important roles in the wedding. But if you both feel that’s not enough, feel free to ask Mom to escort you down the aisle with Dad. With one parent on each arm, you’ll show your guests just how important both your parents are to you. If you want your father to walk you down the aisle: You’ve always known Dad would walk you down the aisle. Now that special moment is coming quicker than you can imagine, and you can’t wait to share this special moment as father and daughter. When you walk together at your wedding, take small steps to take your time and soak in the moment. Share a few final words with Dad, who raised you, loved you, and is now letting you go for you to become the woman he always hoped you’d be. Even if you don’t remember what was said, you’ll remember the way you felt on your wedding day, arm-in-arm with Dad as he walked you to your groom. These feelings can be the same even if you have two dads or two moms, walk with the parents or person who is most special to you.

If your parents and step parents equally important to you: Your parents are divorced, and both Mom and Dad have been remarried for years. You’ve always considered yourself lucky because you have two father figures--Dad and Step Dad--and both have always treated you like their own kid. Or you may have two mother figures. Since you love them both and want to show them your appreciation, you can ask both sets of parents to be involved in the wedding aisle walk. Have one of them walk you halfway. When you reach halfway down the aisle, have the other parent(s) walk you the rest of the way and give your hand to your fiance. Also, if you have enough room in the aisle way, you can consider having one "father" figure on each arm the whole way. If your father has passed away: You love your Dad, and you always envisioned him walking you down the aisle for your wedding day. Even if he isn’t physically present, you can include his memory in the ceremony. Ask your mom, uncle, grandparent, sister or brother. You may consider walking alone since no one can truly fill Dad or Mom's shoes.

Just remember it may be beneficial to have someone who loves you and supports you at your side for this big moment on your special day. If your biological parent wants to walk you down the aisle but your stepparent raised you: You see your biological parent once a year or so but they did not raise you, On the other hand, your stepparent has been consistently there for you, and your siblings. You wish your step parent could walk you down the aisle, but your other parent is getting demanding. If he can’t walk you all the way, he won’t come to your wedding. As the bride, you deserve to make the decision of who will walk you, not to have it made for you. If you want both parents to be involved, consider compromises, like having them both walk with you. However, if you’d regret having your biological father or mother give you away, then you’ll have to talk with them. Calmly explain that you would love to have them in attendance at your wedding. However, you are the bride and you are the one with the right to decide who walks you down the aisle. If you have wholeheartedly chosen only your step parent for your walk, don’t let family drama deter you.

Hope for the best, and remember how happy you’ll be when you’re supported on your wedding day walk by the parent who has supported you every day of your life. If your mother and/or extended family raised you: Dad has never been in the picture. Mom has raised you, and she did a pretty good job, if you do say so yourself. Now that you’re older, she’s become not just a mother, but also a good friend. Honor Mom by asking her to walk with you down the aisle. If you were raised by Mom’s family as a joint effort, consider asking extended family members. If you are close to your grandfather or an uncle, ask him to walk you down the aisle and give your hand to your groom. Don’t forget to think about your brother. If he has always been there for you, he might be honored to step up and fill these shoes. Whichever family member you choose for the aisle walk, they’ll all be there as guests to support your marriage. If you are afraid of upsetting too many people by choosing the wrong person: You have no idea who to choose for your aisle walk.

In the wake of your parents’ divorce, Mom’s family would take it as a personal affront if you to choose to walk with Dad. You considered asking your best friend who’s had your back since middle school, but he thinks it’s horridly inappropriate. Your brother is volunteering, but you haven’t been close in recent years. Rather than deal with this, you just want to throw your hands in the air and walk by yourself. While this may solve the problem, you don’t want to look back on your wedding with regrets. Talk with your groom, and decide together what would be appropriate and make you happy. Then find a way to make it happen. Easier said than done, we know. See how you can compromise and remind yourself that this is your wedding. While that doesn’t give you power to lord over others, it does give you the right to choose who you want to walk you down the aisle, whether it’s your father or your groom himself. If you are getting remarried: Dad walked with you once, and he is willing to support you again. If you would like him to escort you down the aisle, then go for it!

There’s nothing that says you can’t walk with him just because you haven’t been living under his roof for fifteen years. Enjoy this special moment with Dad. However, if you’ve grown apart from your parents, you’re also allowed to consider your options. If you have a son who’s old enough and mature, ask him if he would like to participate in your new marriage in this way. Either way, make sure that you and the person you’re walking with feels comfortable and proud to be walking down the wedding aisle arm-in-arm. If you want to walk alone: You’ve been on your own for a long time, and there are no family members who you feel comfortable asking. Also, as an independent bride, you worry that leaning on someone else’ arm as you walk down the aisle shows you’re not self-sufficient. We’re all about beautiful brides with spirit. By carrying yourself to your fiance, you certainly can symbolize your independence as a woman as well as your choice, not anyone else’s decision, to join with your partner in marriage. However, we recommend walking down the aisle with someone not because we doubt what you’re made of.

Rather, we know how special it is to have someone with you to share those moments and morally support you as you enter a new stage of life. If you’re walking alone, consider your motives, your family’s wishes, and your happiness with this decision. If you’re walking alone to dodge family drama, then consider compromises and ultimately choose what makes you feel the most happy and supported on your wedding day. However, if you’re confident about going solo and you can gather all the support you need by looking to the end of the aisle where your groom awaits, then step out and strut down that aisle on your own to your future husband. From that moment forward, you’ll never have to walk alone again. How to Choose: Final Thoughts As a bride, you can choose whatever you want for your walk down the aisle. Keep your family’s feelings in mind, and do your best to make sure all sides are pleased. But remember this is your wedding day. Don’t compromise your happiness. If family drama arises, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. You’re the bride. You deserve to be happy on your wedding day. When you walk down the aisle at your wedding, walk with someone who loves you and supports your decision to marry your loved one.

Enjoy the moment, and take time to absorb the conversation, the emotion, and even your surroundings, from attending guests to decor. Then you’ll feel at ease and at peace for the moment you’ll take your groom’s hand, say your vows, and begin your blessed marriage as a happy couple. Updated: August 2015 Debra Hansen Author: Allyson Siwajian

Question: A ‘Nelipot’ is someone who is said to walk without what?
Answer: Shoes