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Definition of excursion

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In Latin, the prefix ex- means "out of" and the verb currere means "to run." When the two are put together, they form the verb excurrere , literally "to run out" or "to extend." Excurrere gave rise not only to excursion but also to excurrent (an adjective for things having channels or currents that run outward) and excursus (meaning "an appendix or digression that contains further exposition of some point or topic"). Other words deriving from currere include corridor , curriculum , and among newer words, parkour .

Examples of excursion in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'excursion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Latin excursion-, excursio , from excurrere

circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Dictionary Entries Near excursion

excursional

Cite this Entry

“Excursion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excursion. Accessed 21 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of excursion.

from Latin excursio, excursion- "a going out," from excurrere "to run out, make an excursion, extend," from ex- "out, forth" and currere "to run" — related to current

Medical Definition

Medical definition of excursion, more from merriam-webster on excursion.

Nglish: Translation of excursion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of excursion for Arabic Speakers

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Definition of excursion noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

  • trip an act of traveling from one place to another, and usually back again: a business trip a five-minute trip by taxi
  • journey an act of traveling from one place to another, especially when they are far apart: a long and difficult journey across the mountains
  • A trip usually involves you going to a place and back again; a journey is usually one-way. A trip is often shorter than a journey , although it does not have to be: a trip to New York a round-the-world trip. It is often short in time, even if it is long in distance. Journey is more often used when the traveling takes a long time and is difficult.
  • tour a journey made for pleasure during which several different places are visited: a tour of California
  • commute the regular trip that a person makes when they travel to work and back home again: a two-hour commute into downtown Washington
  • expedition an organized journey with a particular purpose, especially to find out about a place that is not well known: the first expedition to the South Pole
  • excursion a short trip made for pleasure, especially one that has been organized for a group of people: We went on an all-day excursion to the island.
  • outing a short trip made for pleasure or education, usually with a group of people and lasting no more than a day: My project team organized an afternoon outing to celebrate.
  • an overseas trip/journey/tour/expedition
  • a bus/train trip/journey/tour
  • to go on a(n) trip/journey/tour/expedition/excursion/outing
  • to set out/off on a(n) trip/journey/tour/expedition/excursion
  • to take a(n) trip/journey/expedition/excursion

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Definition of excursion – Learner’s Dictionary

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(Definition of excursion from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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excursion noun

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What does the noun excursion mean?

There are 12 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun excursion , six of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

excursion has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

How common is the noun excursion ?

How is the noun excursion pronounced, british english, where does the noun excursion come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun excursion is in the late 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for excursion is from 1574, in the writing of John Whitgift, archbishop of Canterbury.

excursion is a borrowing from Latin.

It is derived from Latin excursiōn-em .

Nearby entries

  • exculpation, n. a1715–
  • exculpative, adj. a1832–
  • exculpatory, adj. 1781–
  • excur, v. 1656–
  • excuriate, v. 1656–76
  • excuriation, n. 1658
  • excurrency, n. 1650–
  • excurrent, adj. 1605–
  • excurse, n. 1587
  • excurse, v. 1748–
  • excursion, n. 1574–
  • excursion, v. 1792–
  • excursional, adj. 1848–
  • excursionary, adj. 1769–
  • excursioner, n. 1786
  • excursionism, n. 1886–
  • excursionist, n. 1829–
  • excursionize, v. 1827–
  • excursive, adj. 1673–
  • excursively, adv. 1791–
  • excursiveness, n. 1753–

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Meaning & use

Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for excursion, n..

excursion, n. was first published in 1894; not yet revised.

excursion, n. was last modified in July 2023.

Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:

  • corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
  • new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into excursion, n. in July 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1894)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

  • View excursion, n. in OED Second Edition

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Citation details

Factsheet for excursion, n., browse entry.

Definition of 'excursion'

IPA Pronunciation Guide

excursion in American English

Excursion in british english, examples of 'excursion' in a sentence excursion, related word partners excursion, trends of excursion.

View usage over: Since Exist Last 10 years Last 50 years Last 100 years Last 300 years

In other languages excursion

  • American English : excursion / ɪkˈskɜrʒən /
  • Brazilian Portuguese : excursão
  • Chinese : 短途旅行
  • European Spanish : excursión
  • French : excursion
  • German : Ausflug
  • Italian : escursione
  • Japanese : 小旅行
  • Korean : 짧은 여행
  • European Portuguese : excursão
  • Spanish : excursión
  • Thai : การเที่ยวพักผ่อนหย่อนใจ, การเที่ยวช่วงสั้นๆ

Browse alphabetically excursion

  • exculpatory
  • excursion ticket
  • excursion train
  • excursionise
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Related terms of excursion

  • boat excursion
  • shore excursion
  • fishing excursion
  • View more related words

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COMMENTS

  1. Examples of 'Excursion' in a Sentence

    Synonyms for excursion. They went on a brief excursion to the coast. The excursion on the bridges will last between two and three hours and include a 30-minute hike to the bridges. —. Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News , 9 Apr. 2023. The excursion begins in the Banff Gondola as the sun sets and night rises. —.

  2. Examples of "Excursion" in a Sentence

    An excursion into Ensenada, the main port in this region, will allow you to explore a market village. 3. 3. A short excursion to the mainland will allow you to visit the Mayan Ruins, swim with dolphins and snorkel. 3. 3. Silver-plated bracelets hold enamel charms that make a great memento of your latest excursion. 3.

  3. EXCURSION in a sentence

    Examples of EXCURSION in a sentence, how to use it. 98 examples: There have been many such, mostly quantitative with occasional excursions into…

  4. Excursion Definition & Meaning

    excursion: [noun] a going out or forth : expedition. a usually brief pleasure trip. a trip at special reduced rates.

  5. EXCURSION Definition & Meaning

    Excursion definition: a short trip or outing to some place, usually for a special purpose and with the intention of a prompt return. See examples of EXCURSION used in a sentence.

  6. EXCURSION

    EXCURSION definition: 1. a short journey usually made for pleasure, often by a group of people: 2. a short involvement…. Learn more.

  7. Examples of 'excursion' in a sentence

    Examples from Collins dictionaries. In Bermuda, Sam's father took him on an excursion to a coral barrier. We also recommend a full day optional excursion to the Upper Douro. Another pleasant excursion is Malaga, 18 miles away. The few excursions into stylistic experiment do not entirely come off.

  8. EXCURSION

    EXCURSION meaning: 1. a short journey usually made for pleasure, often by a group of people: 2. a short involvement…. Learn more.

  9. Excursion

    excursion: 1 n a journey taken for pleasure "many summer excursions to the shore" Synonyms: expedition , jaunt , junket , outing , pleasure trip , sashay Types: airing a short excursion (a walk or ride) in the open air field trip a group excursion (to a museum or the woods or some historic place) for firsthand examination Type of: journey , ...

  10. excursion noun

    Synonyms trip trip journey tour expedition excursion outing day out These are all words for an act of travelling to a place. trip an act of travelling from one place to another, and usually back again:. a business trip; a five-minute trip by taxi; journey an act of travelling from one place to another, especially when they are a long way apart:. a long and difficult journey across the mountains

  11. excursion noun

    excursion a short trip made for pleasure, especially one that has been organized for a group of people: We went on an all-day excursion to the island. outing a short trip made for pleasure or education, usually with a group of people and lasting no more than a day: My project team organized an afternoon outing to celebrate.

  12. EXCURSION

    A complete guide to the word "EXCURSION": definitions, pronunciations, synonyms, grammar insights, collocations, examples, and translations.

  13. How To Use "Excursion" In A Sentence: A Comprehensive Look

    Subject: Begin a sentence with "An excursion" or "The excursion" to indicate the main focus of the sentence. For example, "An excursion to the historical site was enlightening.". Object: Use "excursion" as the object of a verb to highlight the purpose or destination of the trip.

  14. EXCURSION definition and meaning

    8 meanings: 1. a short outward and return journey, esp for relaxation, sightseeing, etc; outing 2. a group of people going on.... Click for more definitions.

  15. Excursion Definition & Meaning

    Excursion definition: A usually short journey made for pleasure; an outing.

  16. EXCURSION Definition & Meaning

    Excursion definition: . See examples of EXCURSION used in a sentence.

  17. excursion

    excursion - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free. WordReference.com | ... excursion / ɪkˈskɜːʃən-ʒən / n. a short outward and return journey, esp for relaxation, sightseeing, etc; outing; a group of people going on such a journey

  18. Excursion: In a Sentence

    Definition of Excursion. a fun outing or visit. Examples of Excursion in a sentence. On our excursion to see our grandparents in Colorado, we ran into a snowstorm which delayed our trip. We took a one-day excursion to Sunside Beach which only took us about four hours to get there. Without preparation, my friend and I decided to take a ...

  19. Excursion Definition & Meaning

    excursion /ɪk ˈ skɚʒən/ noun. plural excursions. Britannica Dictionary definition of EXCURSION. [count] : a short trip especially for pleasure. a fishing excursion. They went on a brief excursion to the coast. — often used figuratively. Her brief excursion into politics [=her brief political career] ended badly.

  20. EXCURSION

    EXCURSION meaning: a short journey made by a group of people for pleasure: . Learn more.

  21. excursion, n. meanings, etymology and more

    What does the noun excursion mean? There are 12 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun excursion, six of which are labelled obsolete. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. excursion has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. military (late 1500s) astronomy (early 1600s) physics (1800s) nuclear ...

  22. EXCURSION definition in American English

    excursion in American English. (ɪkˈskɜːrʒən, -ʃən) noun. 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.

  23. Examples of "Excursions" in a Sentence

    14. 13. Walks, hiking trails and jeep excursions enable visitors to explore marshes and wetlands, coastal dunes, isolated mountain peaks and Atlantic beaches. 1. 0. Great crowds of passengers not only dilute the Antarctic experience, but also reduce the number of Zodiac and shore excursions possible each day. 1. 0.