excursion

American  

[ik-skur-zhuhn, -shuhn] / ɪkˈskɜr ʒən, -ʃən /

noun

1. 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.

2. a trip on a train, ship, etc., at a reduced rate.

   weekend excursions to mountain resorts.

3. the group of persons making such a journey.

   an excursion of tourists.

4. a deviation or digression.

   excursions into futile philosophizing.

5. Physics. the displacement of a body or a point from a mean position or neutral value, as in an oscillation.

6. an accidental increase in the power level of a reactor, usually forcing its emergency shutdown.

7. Machinery.

   1. the range of stroke of any moving part.

   2. the stroke itself.

8. Obsolete. a sally or raid.

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verb (used without object)

1. to go on or take an excursion.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or intended for use on excursions.

   an excursion fare; an excursion bus.

excursion British  

/ -ʒən, ɪkˈskɜːʃən /

noun

1. a short outward and return journey, esp for relaxation, sightseeing, etc; outing

2. a group of people going on such a journey

3. (modifier) of or relating to special reduced rates offered on certain journeys by rail

   an excursion ticket

4. a digression or deviation; diversion

   an excursion into politics

5. (formerly) a raid or attack

6. physics

   1. a movement from an equilibrium position, as in an oscillation

   2. the magnitude of this displacement

7. the normal movement of a movable bodily organ or part from its resting position, such as the lateral movement of the lower jaw

8. machinery the locus of a point on a moving part, esp the deflection of a whirling shaft

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Other Word Forms

• excursional
  adjective
• excursionary
  adjective
• preexcursion
  noun

Etymology

Origin of excursion

First recorded in 1565–75, excursion is from the Latin word excursiōn- (stem of excursiō ). See excursus, -ion

Explanation

An excursion is taken more for pleasure than for practical reasons. Your business trip, when you spent most of the week waiting in airports and adjusting to different time zones, does not count as an excursion. The Latin root for excursion is excurrere, meaning "to run out." So if you run out for a bit to get some fresh air, you've gone on an excursion. If you leave specifically to buy milk from the corner store and end up swimming in a stream, you've probably taken an excursion into the woods.

Example Sentences

Parents and scouts had been fundraising since the start of last year, with the excursion costing £2,750 per child.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Even when mother returns from her unexplained excursion to SeaWorld, Maria still must pick up the slack for a woman unable to keep up with the rent despite working multiple jobs.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Holland America Line guests can opt for an excursion on a small group boat to cast their lines off Ketchikan or Juneau for wild salmon.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

The excursion the cruise line touted the most, though, was a hot new beach club on a 17-acre sliver of Paradise Island.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

They had told her how she might possibly win fifty strips and have a grand day on the excursion.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Related Words

• cruise
• expedition
• jaunt
• junket
• outing
• picnic
• round trip
• safari
• tour
• trek
• trip