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

"It started accidentally when I was on tour with 86TVs, at Kendal Calling in the Lake District," White told BBC Sport.

Read more on BBC

Last month, he was on a tour of the United States visiting Los Angeles, New York and Telluride to promote his latest Oscar-hopeful movie.

Read more on Barron's

That year, she played two nights at the Rose Bowl to 120,000 fans, becoming the first Latina to headline a worldwide stadium tour.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The second Test, a day/night match, starts on Thursday with England looking for a first win in 17 Tests in Australia, a run stretching back to their triumphant 2010/11 tour.

Read more on Barron's

Spencer played two first-class matches for Sussex, against Warwickshire and the touring Sri Lanka team.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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