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

The 27-year-old pop star brought her Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things tour to Pasadena on Friday night for the first of two shows.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The company has recently expanded its live show efforts, touring its comedy programming and “Dimension 20” — which sold out Madison Square Garden to almost 20,000 fans in January.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her last tour, “The Eras Tour,” grossed over $2 billion in ticket sales, and an estimated $6.5 billion when merchandise, food and drink sales were added in.

Read more on MarketWatch

She’s been on staff at the magazine since 1992, logging articles about a road in Bangkok, Thomas “painter of light” Kinkade, a touring gospel group — the list is impossibly broad and long.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ken Davis, the tour’s production stage manager, takes in the well-orchestrated chaos with a smile, gesturing at the massive props that occupy every possible nook and cranny in the wings.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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