tourism

noun

tour·​ism ˈtu̇r-ˌi-zəm 

1

: the practice of traveling for recreation

2

: the guidance or management of tourists

3

a

: the promotion or encouragement of touring

b

: the accommodation of tourists

Examples of tourism in a Sentence

The city developed the riverfront to encourage tourism.

She has a job in tourism.

Recent Examples on the Web

The city's approach to sustainable tourism is subtle, and often unnoticed. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026

Will neighborhood restaurants, retailers, and service providers capture hospitality and tourism dollars generated by stadium events, or will that spending bypass the community? —Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026

Officials are also partnering with hotels and other businesses in the tourism industry to educate their employees on how to spot trafficking. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026

Business groups have said the increase will be a blow to the city’s tourism industry, which never quite recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. —Jaimie Ding, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tourism

• ism
• pisum
• prism
• schism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism
• anticommunism
• antisemitism
• antiterrorism
• bioterrorism
• colloquialism

Kids Definition

tourism

noun

tour·​ism ˈtu̇(ə)r-ˌiz-əm 

: the practice of traveling for pleasure or the business of encouraging and serving such traveling