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 result is a travel category that blends science, culture and slow tourism. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026

Despite the rise in light pollution, dark sky tourism continues to grow as more travelers seek out places where those natural rhythms still hold. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026

In 2018, about 34,000 visitors spent CA$57 million in Yellowknife specifically tied to aurora tourism. —Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026

At some of the ranches, Ted Turner Reserves and Turner Enterprises have woven revenue-generating programs like bison ranching, recreation and tourism with ecology. —Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tourism

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

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