a short trip or outing to some place, usually for a special purpose and with the intention of a prompt return: a pleasure excursion; a scientific excursion.
a trip on a train, ship, etc., at a reduced rate: weekend excursions to mountain resorts.
the group of persons making such a journey: an excursion of tourists.
a deviation or digression: excursions into futile philosophizing.
Physics. the displacement of a body or a point from a mean position or neutral value, as in an oscillation.
an accidental increase in the power level of a reactor, usually forcing its emergency shutdown.
Machinery.
the range of stroke of any moving part.
the stroke itself.
Obsolete. a sally or raid.
verb (used without object)
to go on or take an excursion.
adjective
of, relating to, or intended for use on excursions: an excursion fare; an excursion bus.
Origin of excursion
First recorded in 1565–75,excursion is from the Latin word excursiōn- (stem of excursiō). See excursus, -ion
Related formsex·cur·sion·al, ex·cur·sion·ar·y, adjectivepre·ex·cur·sion, noun
1570s, "a deviation in argument," also "a military sally," from Latin excursionem (nominative excursio) "a running forth, sally, excursion, expedition," noun of action from past participle stem of excurrere "run out, run forth, hasten," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + currere "to run" (see current (adj.)). Sense of "journey" recorded in English by 1660s.
