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

The town on the edge of Cappadocia is a place with almost no tourism, lots of history and plenty of Turkish character. — Rick Steves, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

The trail, with shipwrecks dating back to 1942, has become a haven for both marine life and recreational scuba divers since its official establishment in 2012 — an effort to boost tourism after the devastating 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026

The film’s honeymoon trip could also become a travel itinerary built with tourism partners. — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 8 Nov. 2026

Thanks largely to Mulloy, that period drew more attention to the island and, after the first commercial flight arrived in 1967, ushered in the first real wave of tourism. — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tourism

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

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