tour

1 of 2

noun

ˈtu̇r How to pronounce tour (audio)
sense 2 is also
ˈtau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce tour (audio)
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

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
John Ventre, the observatory historian, led my family on a tour of the facility and a peek through the extraordinary telescopes to view the universe. Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 24 Mar. 2024 Afterward, Kate settled into her role as the Duchess of Cambridge, accompanying her husband on royal tours and playing an increasingly active role within the monarchy. Issy Ronald, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 For active travelers, there are running shoe and hiking boot discounts galore, as well as comfy lifestyle sneakers that will take you from the airport to a sightseeing tour to dinner pain-free. Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 23 Mar. 2024 For years, Muslim women wanting to travel have done this all themselves, without the help of travel and tour companies that cater to their non-Muslim peers. Sarah Shaffi, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024 One of families' favorite activities in the city is the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, which offers tours exploring how the bats are made as well as the history of baseball. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024 Ahead of a tour with Slash, Austin native Jackie Venson kicked off the showcase with some bluesy psychedelic rock to set the vibe. Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2024 Oceania Cruises’ newest ship is heading on a world tour. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024 Dark Matter is the follow-up to 2020’s Gigaton and will be supported by a multi-leg international tour beginning May 4 in Vancouver. Spin Staff, SPIN, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
Because things didn’t happen in the normal quote-unquote alternative way — two indie records, tours all over — the reaction was that this was a manufactured band. Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024 The public can tour more than 35 historic homes in the area, see many examples of architecture and furnishings, enjoy culinary and musical events, and stroll through gardens in bloom. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2024 Prospective buyers can tour the four spectacular model homes here, as well as a variety of specs that are move-in ready. Weichert Realtors® Welch & Company, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2024 Years after splitting in 2011, the band announced their reunion in 2018 and went on to tour and release new music, including the albums Spectrum in 2019 and Wild Dreams in 2021. Lisa Raphael, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024 The show, which he’s been touring since 2021, made its New York premiere earlier that week at Studio 54. Juan A. Ramírez, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Jon Bon Jovi is putting his health first before announcing any plans to tour. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024 Waxahatchee’s new album, Tigers Blood, due out March 22 on Anti- Records, seems poised to push her even higher, toward the kind of success that can be disorienting for a musician who started off touring in a $900 van that was prone to breakdowns. Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2024 Slash and some of his famous friends will celebrate the blues this summer on the Guns N’ Roses guitarist’s upcoming touring S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tour.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tour was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tour

Cite this Entry

“Tour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tour. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tour

1 of 2 noun
ˈtu̇(ə)r How to pronounce tour (audio)
sense 1 is also
ˈtau̇(ə)r How to pronounce tour (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on tour

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