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

Several countries in Africa, as well as Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and Yemen recorded the highest overstay rates for those visiting for business or tourism, per that report. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Aug. 2025

What does this incident say about the state of tourism in the Serengeti’s high season? —Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 4 Aug. 2025

Both have mercurial economies tied to energy and tourism, respectively. Michigan, riding automaking’s vicious cycles, is No. 4 at 89. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025

The dangers of space weather Commercial interests now make up a big part of space exploration, focusing on space tourism, building satellite networks, and working toward extracting resources from the Moon and nearby asteroids. —Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, Space.com, 3 Aug. 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