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 of tour

Noun

• stint
• tenure
• term

Verb

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

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

About 80 per cent of City’s existing first-team squad went on the pre-season tour to Hong Kong and South Korea, meaning Maresca has been able to get his ideas across to most of the players. — Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

But the writer’s tour back in time would not be that easily booked. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Verb

Kahan’s touring success is also fueling his mental health advocacy through the Busyhead Project, his nonprofit focused on expanding access to mental health resources and reducing stigma. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 16 Aug. 2026

Another presidential candidate, Ronaldo Caiado, a former state governor and an agribusiness leader, toured the surroundings of Brazil’s capital Brasilia and reinforced his anti-Lula credentials. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for tour

• boor
• cour
• cure
• jure
• lure
• moor
• pure
• spoor
• sure
• abjure
• adjure
• allure

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