excursion

American  

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

noun

excursions plural

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

Derived Forms

• preexcursion
  noun
• excursional
  adjective
• excursionary
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• excursions
  plural

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

See Examples For:

excursion excursions

Each is fitted with a tracker so they can easily be found if they venture beyond the Kynren site, with a peregrine falcon recently making an excursion to Spennymoor.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026

The fly-fishing programs include guided trips on private lakes and ponds, along with a “Float and Fish” river excursion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Spawned from a mid-pandemic struggle with depression, it’s a lush and slightly spooky psychedelic-folk excursion that O’Brien made with help from the producer Paul Epworth, the jazz musician Shabaka Hutchings and Radiohead’s drummer, Philip Selway.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

The excursion is unusual for Rubio, who in nearly a year and a half on the job has preferred short, business-like trips and rarely done events outside of government meetings.

From Barron's ● May 25, 2026

My mother is gone this afternoon, a rare excursion into the outside world to visit her sister in the country.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

He also finds time for dayslong biking excursions on his collection of motorcycles, and spending time with his wife, who works in furniture design, and their 22-year-old daughter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

Park-goers and local business owners say it’s crucial for those venturing into Yosemite this summer to plan their excursions outside peak times to avoid the worst of the crowds, and even then, pack their patience.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

The fishing: The resort arranges guided fly-fishing excursions through local outfitter Trout Stalkers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Yes, it’s whimsical, and yes, it references Mike Davis’ “City of Quartz” more than any of the TMZ-type excursions it gently parodies, but it’s still, at its heart, a bus tour.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026

One of our leaders on those excursions was a pretty young woman named Lois, about twenty- five at the time, who wore long braids, full skirts, and peasant blouses.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston

Related Words

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