excursion

noun

ex·​cur·​sion ik-ˈskər-zhən How to pronounce excursion (audio)
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.

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The ship usually delivers tickets for the excursion to your stateroom. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024 For example, in the European itinerary, the shore excursion that includes hiking up Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii often sells out. Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 Our favorite excursion with the Burley kit was an all-day snowshoe along Rabbit Ears Pass outside Steamboat Springs. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 30 Oct. 2024 As part of the Luxury Collection, the property also offers signature experiences like private yacht charters, fishing excursions, and cooking and mixology classes. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for excursion 

Word History

Etymology

Latin excursion-, excursio, from excurrere

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of excursion was circa 1587

Dictionary Entries Near excursion

Cite this Entry

“Excursion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excursion. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

excursion

noun
ex·​cur·​sion ik-ˈskər-zhən How to pronounce excursion (audio)
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 How to pronounce excursion (audio)
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)

More from Merriam-Webster on excursion

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