Synonyms 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

Did you know?

A Tribe Called Quest’s 1991 album The Low End Theory is not only widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, but one of the genre’s most successful early excursions into jazz, utilizing samples and even featuring legendary bassist Ron Carter on one song. Excursion refers to a usually brief, pleasurable trip, and is often used figuratively—as in the previous sentence—for metaphorical trips outside of one’s usual territory, be they artistic or otherwise. The word comes from the Latin verb excurrere (“to run out” or “to extend”), which combines the prefix ex- meaning “out of” and the verb currere meaning “to run.” Although it is sometimes used to refer to attacks or raids made against an enemy, as in “military excursions,” excursion is mostly used today for much more enjoyable jaunts, junkets, and rambles. Accordingly, on your next excursion, whether to the park, beach, or elsewhere, you could do worse than to queue up The Low End Theory on your playlist. The album’s first track, after all, is titled “Excursions.”

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
They were gathered on the studio lot last month as part of Disney’s Somos Magic Summit, a three-day event involving a series of panels and presentations at the company’s corporate headquarters and excursion to the Disneyland Resort theme parks. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 For a bit of an over-the-top perk, the concierge is able to arrange helicopter services to NASA through its rooftop helipad, as well as myriad other special excursions. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026 There's also a huge range of northern lights tours available, from small-group photography excursions to longer aurora-chasing adventures. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Grown-ups, meanwhile, can make a night of it on the October Beer Tasting Train, a 21+ excursion that pairs local craft brews with views of the shoreline in peak color. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Midwest Living, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for excursion

Word History

Etymology

Latin excursion-, excursio, from excurrere

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of excursion was in 1566

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Cite this Entry

“Excursion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excursion. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

excursion

noun
1
a
: a short trip for pleasure
b
: a trip at special reduced rates
2
: a wandering off from the subject : digression
Etymology

from Latin excursio, excursion- "a going out," from excurrere "to run out, make an excursion, extend," from ex- "out, forth" and currere "to run" — related to current

Medical Definition

excursion

noun
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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