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

Dubai, in particular, finds its position as the crown jewel of Middle East’s tourism faltering as its airports have been forced to shut temporarily during the conflict. —Sydney Goh, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026

The island’s new lobster concession holder — the previous company held exclusive fishing rights for 30 years — plans to introduce a larger vessel with more berths and cargo space, making travel easier for residents and opening Tristan to more tourism and economic opportunities. —NPR, 4 Apr. 2026

Locals’ trust is crucial to sustainable tourism in the Highlands, where absentee landowners have long been viewed with suspicion. —Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026

Archaeologists are under pressure to find and document as much as possible before mass tourism further impacts the area. —Ryan Brennan april 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tourism

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

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