road show

¹

Or roadshow

noun

1. a show, such as a play or musical comedy, performed by a touring group of actors.

2. an important motion picture, usually presented only twice daily on a reserved-seat basis and at increased prices.

3. any traveling exhibit, such as one promoting a company's products or a government program.

4. Informal.,  any group traveling around the country for a specific purpose, such as a political candidate together with an entourage.

road-show

²

[rohd-shoh]

adjective

1. of or relating to road shows.

verb (used with object)

road-showed, road-showing 

1. to present as a road show.

road show

noun

1. 1. a radio show broadcast live from one of a number of towns or venues being visited by a disc jockey who is touring an area

   2. the touring disc jockey and the personnel and equipment needed to present such a show

      the Radio 1 road show will be in Brighton next week

2. a group of entertainers, esp pop musicians, on tour

3. any occasion when an organization attracts publicity while touring or visiting

   an antiques road show

   a royal road show

Word History and Origins

Origin of road show¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Origin of road show²

First recorded in 1870–80

Idioms and Phrases

A tour made for a particular purpose, especially a political campaign. For example, It was primary season, and every would-be candidate was planning a road show. This term originated about 1900 for touring theatrical productions and in the mid-1900s began to be transferred to other endeavors.