tour

1 of 2

noun

ˈtu̇r  ˈtȯr 

sense 2 is also

ˈtau̇(-ə)r 

1

a

: a journey for business, pleasure, or education often involving a series of stops and ending at the starting point

also : something resembling such a tour

a tour of the history of philosophy

b

: a series of professional tournaments (as in golf or tennis)

c

: a brief turn : round

2

a

: a period during which an individual or unit is on a specific duty or at one place

a tour of duty

b

: one's turn in an orderly schedule : shift

tour

2 of 2

verb

toured; touring; tours

transitive verb

1

: to make a tour of

2

: to present (something, such as a theatrical production) on a tour

intransitive verb

: to make a tour

Synonyms of tour

Noun

• stint
• tenure
• term

Verb

• travel
• trek
• trip
• journey
• voyage
• pilgrimage

Examples of tour in a Sentence

Noun

We went on a tour of Italy.

They went on a driving tour of New England.

They went on a tour of the city.

We were taken on a tour of the school.

We went on a guided tour of the museum.

They gave us a tour of their new house.

during his tour in Vietnam

He served a tour of duty in Germany.

Verb

We'll tour the museum tomorrow.

We toured around for several weeks last summer.

“Are you here to study?” “No, I'm just touring.”

Is the band touring this year?

The show has toured the country.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Back in June, Fuerza Regida embarked on their most ambitious tour to date. — Lucas Villa, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026

The neighborhood/area Litchfield County is an absolute gem, with plenty of farm tours, hikes, and antiques shops in downtown Washington. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026

Verb

Batiste toured with Prince, appeared on records by mgk, Young Bae and Lana Del Rey and has both recorded and played live many times with Lenny Kravitz, to name a few. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026

For his world tour in 2003, Paul McCartney gave the 2 millionth audience member of his Back to the World tour a car. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French tur, tourn turning, circuit, journey — more at turn

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1708, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing tour

• Cook's tour
• grand tour
• on tour
• package tour
• tour de force
• tour guide
• tour of inspection

Rhymes for tour

• boor
• cour
• cure
• jure
• lure
• moor
• pure
• spoor
• sure
• abjure
• adjure
• allure

Kids Definition

tour

1 of 2 noun

ˈtu̇(ə)r 

sense 1 is also

ˈtau̇(ə)r 

1

a

: one's turn in a schedule

b

: a period of time during which one is on duty or in a certain place

2

: a trip usually ending at the point of beginning

a tour of the city

3

: a series of related sports events held regularly at varied locations

the golf tour

tour

2 of 2 verb

: to make a tour of : travel as a tourist