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

For the project, Pepper was programmed as a tourism expert who only answers questions about Bremerhaven, the university, and the Computer Science Day, with a friendly but firm style that gives visitors clear and approachable guidance. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026

African tourism is hampered by lack of connectivity in the continent’s aviation sector, which is in need of more investment in infrastructure, safety oversight and a regional hub. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026

The home is owned by Matt Dilegame, chief operating officer at tourism agency Visit California, and Josh Dilegame. —David Caraccio march 28, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026

The tourism boom is expected to lift hotel rates in the host cities by an average of 300% around opening matches, the New York Times has reported. —Maya Davis, Fortune, 28 Mar. 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