March
March
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "March" is /mɑːrtʃ/.
/mɑːrtʃ/
Word Form Variations
Noun: March (singular, referring to the month), marches (plural, referring to repeated instances of the act of marching or types of musical compositions)
Verb: march (base form), marches (third person singular present), marching (present participle), marched (past simple, past participle)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The third month of the year, in the Gregorian calendar, consisting of 31 days.
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms, as it is a proper noun referring to a specific month)
Antonyms: (Other months are contrasting elements, e.g., January, February, April)
Definition 2: An act of walking, especially in a military manner with a regular measured tread, or a formal procession of people walking in public.
Synonyms: parade, procession, demonstration, walk, trek, patrol
Antonyms: halt, stop, standstill, retreat (if military)
Definition 3: A piece of music written to accompany marching, typically having a strong regular rhythm.
Synonyms: military march, processional, anthem (if ceremonial), tune
Antonyms: waltz, lullaby, ballad (as contrasting musical forms)
Definition 4: The distance covered by marching.
Synonyms: journey, trek, walk, hike, expedition
Antonyms: short distance, rest, standstill
Verb
Definition 1: To walk with regular measured steps, like a soldier; to walk in a ceremonial or organized procession.
Synonyms: parade, process, step, stride, pace, tramp
Antonyms: halt, stop, standstill, retreat, linger, stroll
Definition 2: To cause (someone or something) to walk in a specified direction with determined steps.
Synonyms: lead, direct, guide, escort, force, usher
Antonyms: release, free, allow to wander, disperse
Definition 3: To progress steadily; to move forward purposefully.
Synonyms: advance, progress, proceed, develop, move ahead
Antonyms: regress, halt, stagnate, retreat, falter
Examples of Use
Books:
"The bleakness of winter finally gave way to the crisp, hopeful days of March, promising spring." (Fictional example from a seasonal novel or memoir)
"The army's grueling march across the mountains tested the limits of every soldier's endurance." (From a historical military account or adventure novel)
"John Philip Sousa's 'Stars and Stripes Forever' is one of the most iconic American marches, often played at patriotic events." (From a non-fiction book on music history)
Newspapers:
"The Women's Day celebrations in Nairobi culminated in a peaceful march through the city center." ("Daily Nation,")
"Inflation rates saw a slight increase in March, causing concern among economists." ("Business Daily Africa,")
"Activists plan to march from Uhuru Park to Parliament Buildings next week to protest the proposed bill." ("The Standard,")
Online Publications:
"Our ultimate guide to planting spring flowers in March for a vibrant garden." (An article on a gardening blog, e.g., "Gardening Know How,")
"How to organize a successful protest march: Tips for community leaders." (An article on a social justice advocacy website, e.g., "Amnesty International,")
"The company continues its steady march towards market dominance with aggressive expansion strategies." (A business analysis on "Forbes.com,’’)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The soldiers began their forced march toward the enemy lines, knowing the battle that awaited them." (Narration in a war film, e.g., 1917)
Television Series: "This week, we revisit the pivotal Civil Rights Marches of the 1960s and their lasting impact." (A documentary series segment, e.g., Eyes on the Prize)
Song Lyrics: "The drums of war still beat and march on." (From a protest song or ballad about conflict)
Video Games: "Your units are too slow; order them to march faster to reach the objective in time!" (In-game command or advice in a strategy game, e.g., Age of Empires)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we play classic military marches and discuss their role in inspiring troops." (A podcast on military history or music, e.g., "The History of WWII Podcast")
General Public Discourse:
"My birthday is in March, so I'm a spring baby." (A common statement about one's birth month)
"We had to march for miles through the bush to get to the remote village." (Describing a difficult walk)
"Did you see the big climate change march downtown last Saturday?" (A question about a public demonstration)
"Time seems to march on so quickly when you're having fun." (A philosophical observation)
"The band played a rousing march as the athletes entered the stadium." (Describing music at an event)
10 Famous Quotes Using March
"Beware the Ides of March." – William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
"As through this world I’ve wandered, I’ve seen lots of funny men; Some will rob you with a six-gun, and some with a fountain pen." – Woody Guthrie, "Pretty Boy Floyd" (released March 1940)
"March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection." – Kahlil Gibran
"Women’s rights are human rights." – Hillary Clinton, speech delivered in March 1995 at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women
"March isn’t the end of winter, it’s the triumph of hope over experience." – Hal Borland
"In March the soft rains continued, and each storm waited courteously until its predecessor sank beneath the ground." – John Steinbeck, East of Eden
"Let us march on till victory is won." – Martin Luther King Jr., "Our God is Marching On!" speech, March 1965
"March is a month of expectation." – Emily Dickinson
"If we must die, let it not be like hogs... Let us nobly die." – Claude McKay, published in The Liberator, March 1919
"March came in like a lion and went out like a lamb." – English Proverb
Etymology
The word "March" actually has two completely different origins, leading to its two main uses today: the month, and the act of walking.
"March" as the month:
This comes from the Old French word Marche, which was borrowed from the Latin word Martius.
Martius literally meant "of Mars," referring to Mars, the Roman god of war.
In the earliest Roman calendar, Martius was actually the first month of the year, as it marked the beginning of spring when military campaigns would resume after winter.
The first known use of "March" in English to refer to the third month of the year dates back to the late Old English period (before the 12th century), replacing older Germanic names for the month.
"March" as in walking/progressing (verb and noun):
This meaning comes from the Middle French verb marcher, which originally meant "to tread" or "to trample," and later evolved to mean "to walk."
The origin of the French marcher is a bit uncertain, but it's likely from a Germanic root, possibly related to "mark" (as in to "mark out" a path with steps).
The first known use of the verb "march" in English, with the meaning of "to walk with regular, measured steps" (especially in a military style), appeared around the early 14th century (around 1330).
So, while they sound and are spelled identically today, "March" the month and "march" the action have separate historical journeys, one from a Roman god and the other from a concept of purposeful walking.
Phrases + Idioms Containing March
To steal a march on someone: To gain an advantage over someone by acting secretly or before them.
To march to the beat of a different drum/drummer: To act or think in an independent or unconventional way.
The March of Progress: The idea of continuous advancement and improvement, especially in society or technology.
On the march: Moving forward or progressing; actively campaigning or demonstrating.
Marching orders: Instructions or authorization to proceed with a task; a directive to leave.
Marching band: A group of musicians who play instruments while marching.
March Madness: (US Sports) The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments held in March, known for their unpredictable nature.
March past: A ceremonial procession, especially of military units.
To march forward: To progress or advance. (Synonym for "move ahead")
To keep pace: To move at the same speed as someone or something else. (Synonymous with "marching in step")
A forced march: A long or arduous journey made on foot, often under duress.
The long march home: A difficult or extended journey back to one's origin. (Lesser-known, poetic)
To march in lockstep: To move or act in perfect, unthinking unison.
To strike up a march: To begin playing a marching tune.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of March from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
