tour

1 of 2

noun

ˈtu̇r  ˈtȯr 

sense 2 is also

ˈtau̇(-ə)r 

1

a

: a journey for business, pleasure, or education often involving a series of stops and ending at the starting point

also : something resembling such a tour

a tour of the history of philosophy

b

: a series of professional tournaments (as in golf or tennis)

c

: a brief turn : round

2

a

: a period during which an individual or unit is on a specific duty or at one place

a tour of duty

b

: one's turn in an orderly schedule : shift

tour

2 of 2

verb

toured; touring; tours

transitive verb

1

: to make a tour of

2

: to present (something, such as a theatrical production) on a tour

intransitive verb

: to make a tour

Synonyms

Noun

• hitch
• stint
• tenure
• term

Verb

• journey
• peregrinate
• pilgrimage
• travel
• trek
• trip
• voyage

Examples of tour in a Sentence

Noun

We went on a tour of Italy.

They went on a driving tour of New England.

They went on a tour of the city.

We were taken on a tour of the school.

We went on a guided tour of the museum.

They gave us a tour of their new house.

during his tour in Vietnam

He served a tour of duty in Germany.

Verb

We'll tour the museum tomorrow.

We toured around for several weeks last summer.

“Are you here to study?” “No, I'm just touring.”

Is the band touring this year?

The show has toured the country.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

She’s also attended several of the Hallmark Channel seasonal TCA tours as well as the September 2018 premiere of his movie God Bless the Broken Road. —Francesca Gariano, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024

Dua Lipa, who has yet to respond to the incident, continues on with her Radical Optimism tour, next taking the stage on November 27 in Bangkok, Thailand. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

Verb

Accompanied by his wife Brigitte, Macron toured the key areas of the cathedral, including the nave, choir and chapel, and spoke to experts. —Chris Morris, Fortune Europe, 29 Nov. 2024

Our first date involved touring fishing access sites, visiting multiple shops and restaurants, driving five hours in a car, and walking around Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. —Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French tur, tourn turning, circuit, journey — more at turn

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1708, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing tour

• Cook's tour
• grand tour
• on tour
• package tour
• tour de force
• tour guide
• tour of inspection

Kids Definition

tour

1 of 2 noun

ˈtu̇(ə)r 

sense 1 is also

ˈtau̇(ə)r 

1

a

: one's turn in a schedule

b

: a period of time during which one is on duty or in a certain place

2

: a trip usually ending at the point of beginning

a tour of the city

3

: a series of related sports events held regularly at varied locations

the golf tour

tour

2 of 2 verb

: to make a tour of : travel as a tourist