excursion
Americannoun
-
excursions
plural
-
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.
-
a trip on a train, ship, etc., at a reduced rate.
weekend excursions to mountain resorts.
-
the group of persons making such a journey.
an excursion of tourists.
-
a deviation or digression.
excursions into futile philosophizing.
-
Physics. the displacement of a body or a point from a mean position or neutral value, as in an oscillation.
-
an accidental increase in the power level of a reactor, usually forcing its emergency shutdown.
-
Machinery.
-
the range of stroke of any moving part.
-
the stroke itself.
-
-
Obsolete. a sally or raid.
verb (used without object)
adjective
noun
-
a short outward and return journey, esp for relaxation, sightseeing, etc; outing
-
a group of people going on such a journey
-
(modifier) of or relating to special reduced rates offered on certain journeys by rail
an excursion ticket
-
a digression or deviation; diversion
an excursion into politics
-
(formerly) a raid or attack
-
physics
-
a movement from an equilibrium position, as in an oscillation
-
the magnitude of this displacement
-
-
the normal movement of a movable bodily organ or part from its resting position, such as the lateral movement of the lower jaw
-
machinery the locus of a point on a moving part, esp the deflection of a whirling shaft
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing excursion
"The Great Gatsby," Chapter 1 Vocabulary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Surviving Hitler
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Greetings, World Traveler! — List 3
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Maxime Fallet, who works at a Doubs riverboat excursion company, fears the lake is "destined to disappear", for lack of a plan to save it.
From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026
“What he said would be a quick little excursion is looking more like an 18-year commitment.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026
One excursion was later refunded but - having worked in the aviation sector - Catie is annoyed that the air traffic problem extended so long as to ruin their holiday.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026
In Tangier, Morocco, the chance of clear skies is high—and you’ll have plenty of post-viewing excursion options, like the legendary Caves of Hercules.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
“An excursion like that would be wonderful, Signora!” he said, giving Esther a smile that was as sweet as one of Lucia's puddings.
From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke
Despite his disabilities, Morris rode, hiked and boated on frequent excursions in upstate New York.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
At one point, the man who created such transporting excursions into grace as the Opus 39 Waltzes had to scrounge around for his own piano.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
His son, the film director Riley Sweeney Lynch, recalls him turning these excursions into a game.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
Williams, her partner Len, and daughters Greta and eight-year-old Eiry-ana were enjoying a holiday at Eftalia Ocean Hotel and went on numerous excursions.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Penelope had taken any number of excursions with the children in which she had warned them not wander off, but this time she knew that she was the one most likely to get lost.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
