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

Ocean City contends the more than 100 massive turbines will disrupt marine life and will be visible from their beach at night—hurting tourism and property values. —Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

Data included macroeconomic drivers like employment, output, household net worth, asset prices including stock indices, interest rates, housing market indicators and variables related to travel and tourism, including gasoline prices, airline travel and hotel stays. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025

Analysts and tourism officials note that rising prices, a weaker Canadian dollar, and heightened political tensions have nudged many travelers to choose domestic trips within Canada or alternative international destinations instead. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 10 Dec. 2025

Frontman John McCrea described the work as a satirical critique of space tourism. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 10 Dec. 2025

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