excursion

noun ex·cur·sion \ ik-ˈskər-zhən \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

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

Though the board members didn’t discuss the properties among themselves, the court ruled that the excursion was a meeting and the public should have been allowed to attend.

— lauren ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Legislative mixer at wine and cigar bar for elected officials could thwart Sunshine law," 16 Apr. 2018
Her fun excursion turned into an eyewitness account of the last high-profile case of police brutality before Clark was shot to death in his grandmother's backyard March 18.

— marcos bretón, sacbee, "'I'm not OK today.' She witnessed a cop beating and relives it always | The Sacramento Bee," 10 Apr. 2018
Saturday, April 14: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's Ales on Rails excursion will feature five beers from Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. Train departs at 7:30 p.m. from Rockside Station.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Beer calendar: Local brewery battle set, Masthead at Rozi's, Platform tap takeover, more," 9 Apr. 2018
After a group of service pups in training recently took a field trip to the park, pictures of the adorable excursion quickly began making the online rounds.

— megan mccluskey, Time, "These Service Dogs Spent the Day at Disneyland and It Was the Purest Sight to Behold," 5 Apr. 2018
Manion recently asked Nation more about his plans for the three-day excursion.

— birmingham botanical gardens, AL.com, "Fred Nation set to lead group to Solon Dixon Preserve," 5 Apr. 2018
Although ballet and surf are the two primary highlights of this retreat, the team strives to incorporate other excursions and surprise experiences.

— kara ladd, Harper's BAZAAR, "Just Back From...Nosara, Costa Rica," 3 Apr. 2018
Taste beers on a two-hour excursion through Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Beer calendar: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad beer tours, Terrestrial fundraiser, more," 2 Apr. 2018
Vardy scored for England against Italy on international duty but seemed to be feeling the effects of his excursions on Saturday as Brighton kept him quiet for most of the match.

— SI.com, "Leicester Striker Seen Limping During Final Stages of 2-0 Brighton Win on Saturday," 1 Apr. 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

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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