tour

[toor]

noun

1. a traveling around from place to place.

2. a long journey including the visiting of a number of places in sequence, especially with an organized group led by a guide.

   Synonyms: expedition, trip

3. a brief trip through a place, as a building or a site, in order to view or inspect it.

   The visiting prime minister was given a tour of the chemical plant.

4. a journey from town to town to fulfill engagements, as by a theatrical company or an entertainer.

   to go on tour; a European concert tour.

5. a period of duty at one place or in one job.

verb (used without object)

1. to travel from place to place.

   Synonyms: visit

2. to travel from town to town fulfilling engagements.

verb (used with object)

1. to travel through (a place).

   Synonyms: visit

2. to send or take (a theatrical company, its production, etc.) from town to town.

3. to guide (someone) on a tour.

   He toured us through the chateaus of the Loire Valley.

tour

/ tʊə /

noun

1. an extended journey, usually taken for pleasure, visiting places of interest along the route

2. military a period of service, esp in one place of duty

3. a short trip, as for inspection

4. a trip made by a theatre company, orchestra, etc, to perform in several different places

   a concert tour

5. an overseas trip made by a cricket or rugby team, etc, to play in several places

verb

1. to make a tour of (a place)

2. to perform (a show) or promote (a product) in several different places

Other Word Forms

• minitour noun
• untoured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tour¹

1250–1300; Middle English (noun) < Middle French < Latin tornus < Greek tórnos tool for making a circle. See turn

Word History and Origins

Origin of tour¹

C14: from Old French: a turn, from Latin tornus a lathe, from Greek tornos; compare _turn

Example Sentences

It was filmed while he visited Bad Wolf Studios in Cardiff last month and toured the sets of BBC sci-fi show Doctor Who and upcoming BBC series The Other Bennet Sister.

From BBC

This tour in particular feels like the moment when Lipa is opting out of the rise-and-crash fame cycle and into becoming more of an album artist and deeply considered live act.

From Los Angeles Times

“The way that that tour felt, the way that it just kind of lit up my whole life, was such a through line of making this music,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

The year 2025 has been dominated by another example of nostalgia, in the shape of the Oasis reunion tour.

From BBC

Would the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia be competitive?

From BBC

Related Words

• circuit 
• course 
• cruise 
• excursion 
• expedition 
• outing 
• road 
• round 
• swing 
• travel 
• trek 
• trip