excursion

noun

ex·​cur·​sion ik-ˈskər-zhən 

1

a

: a going out or forth : expedition

b(1)

: a usually brief pleasure trip

(2)

: a trip at special reduced rates

2

: deviation from a direct, definite, or proper course

especially : digression

needless excursions into abstruse theory

3

: a movement outward and back or from a mean position or axis

also : the distance traversed : amplitude

the excursion of a piston

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

• jaunt
• junket
• outing
• ramble
• sally
• sashay
• sortie
• spin

Examples of excursion in a Sentence

They went on a brief excursion to the coast.

our weekend excursions have encompassed virtually all parts of our home state

Recent Examples on the Web

Research from Maryland shows that 20 to 40 percent of mature bucks continue to make doe excursions into December. —Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024

On our return to The Ravel after every excursion, we are greeted by a welcome party of staff holding out a cold towel and a glass of buck's fizz. —James Rampton, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024

Or splurge on an all-day excursion — Tritten leads private groups on goat hikes to a remote waterfall. —Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024

Don't skip the town of Soufrière on your way to Sulphur Springs; dinner at Orlando's and shopping at Zaka Art Café round out an exciting island excursion. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin excursion-, excursio, from excurrere

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

excursion

noun

ex·​cur·​sion ik-ˈskər-zhən 

1

a

: a short trip for pleasure

b

: a trip at special reduced rates

2

: a wandering off from the subject : digression

Etymology

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

excursion

noun

ex·​cur·​sion ik-ˈskər-zhən 

1

a

: a movement outward and back or from a mean position or axis

excursion of the femur

b

: the distance traversed

2

: one complete movement of expansion and contraction of the lungs and their membranes (as in breathing)