excursion

noun ex·cur·sion \ ik-ˈskər-zhən \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Examples: excursion in a Sentence

Definition of excursion

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

See excursion defined for English-language learners

See excursion defined for kids

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 of excursion from the Web

Put all those baby necessities in a few of them, and hand one out to each of the adults joining in on the excursion.

— amy schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "What about my diaper bag? What parents need to know about Summerfest's ban on large bags," 1 June 2018
After the roughly 20-minute tunnel excursion, the immersion continues a couple of levels above in a room that is filled with real-life information about our complicated relationship with water.

— david lyman, Cincinnati.com, "Tour a life-size, underground comic book in Over-the-Rhine," 11 May 2018
Environmental Protection Agency officials didn’t tell reporters about the excursion until after Pruitt had returned.

— jennifer a dlouhy, Bloomberg.com, "Mystery of Pruitt's Morocco Trip Deepens With Lobbyist Contract," 2 May 2018
Butina shared a photo of the group of Facebook, which described the excursion as an official visit from an NRA delegation.

— sara murray, CNN, "Exclusive: NRA gathers documents amid scrutiny over ties to Kremlin-linked banker," 27 Apr. 2018
Don't miss the gorgeous electric-piano excursion about five minutes in.

— mikael wood, latimes.com, "Kendrick Lamar just won a Pulitzer Prize. Here are five songs that show why," 17 Apr. 2018
City Council members adopted a four-hour parking limit for spaces downtown — enough time to maybe stroll a little and have a meal — but not enough for serious shopping if eating is included in the excursion.

— lauren ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "What is this shuttle thingy of which you speak, Mount Dora?," 13 Apr. 2018
The results of the distraction-free, two-week excursion capture a band breathing easily.

— jewly hight, New York Times, "Brothers Osborne Want to Bring Guitar Heroes Back to Nashville," 12 Apr. 2018
The excursions range from river floating and mule rides to jeep and helicopter tours and even sky diving.

— nena farrell, Sunset, "10 Fun Family-Friendly Hotels," 22 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'excursion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of excursion

Latin excursion-, excursio, from excurrere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1587

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

excursion Synonyms

Synonyms

jaunt, junket, outing, ramble, sally, spin;

Related Words

journey, travel(s), voyage;

circuit, tour;

expedition, odyssey, safari;

detour;

hike, peregrination, trek, walk;

pilgrimage;

EXCURSION Defined for English Language Learners

excursion

noun

Definition of excursion for English Language Learners

: a short trip especially for pleasure

EXCURSION Defined for Kids

excursion

noun ex·cur·sion \ ik-ˈskər-zhən \

Definition of excursion for Students

1 : a brief trip for pleasure

2 : a trip at special reduced rates

Medical Dictionary

excursion

noun ex·cur·sion \ ik-ˈskər-zhən \

medical Definition of excursion

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)

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excursion

Definition of excursion

Examples of excursion in a Sentence

Recent Examples of excursion from the Web

Origin and Etymology of excursion

excursion Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

EXCURSION Defined for English Language Learners

excursion

Definition of excursion for English Language Learners

EXCURSION Defined for Kids

excursion

Definition of excursion for Students

Medical Dictionary

excursion

medical Definition of excursion

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